Candidates for Pa. 13th Congressional Dist. Seat Squabble Over Financing
By David Madden
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The battle of words is heating up between two Democratic candidates in Montgomery County vying to replace Allyson Schwartz in Congress.
The issue: campaign spending.
Pennsylvania state senator Daylin Leach claims former US congresswoman Marjorie Margolies has been dipping into general election funds to run her primary campaign, to the tune of over $150,000.
Ken Smukler, Margolies' campaign advisor, denies it, and suggests that Leach is getting desperate.
"Daylin is like a rodeo clown in this campaign," says Smukler. "But like many clowns, Daylin is more sad than funny."
"He can call me any name he wants," responds Leach. "The bottom line is, he has to explain how they spent 150-some thousand dollars of money they didn't have."
Leach has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission.
Smukler says the Margolies camp has retained a former FEC official to certify that their spending has been on the up-and-up.
Schwartz, the incumbent, is running for Pennsylvania governor.