Halvorson Drags Robert Blagojevich Into Election Fight Against Jackson
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson far behind in the latest polls in her efforts to unseat Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Halvorson is asking for some help in bringing down Jackson.
The person Debbie Halvorson is asking for help: Robert Blagojevich, the brother of soon-to-be imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Months ago, Robert offered to testify before the U.S. House Ethics Committee, which is investigating Jackson Jr.
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The panel is looking into allegations that Jackson fundraisers offered to give more than $1.5 million to the former governor in exchange for appointing Jackson to the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Jackson has denied any knowledge of such an offer.
The House Ethics Committee also is looking into whether Jackson misused funding for his Congressional office to mount a public campaign for the Senate seat.
Halvorson called a news conference Tuesday to say that Robert Blagojevich should spill what he knows about Jackson and the Senate seat.
"I am appealing to Robert Blagojevich to come forward to inform the voters of just what are those truths that you know about Jackson and haven't talked about," Halvorson said.
An attorney for Robert Blagojevich says: "He has made a public statement already. And he is not going to get involved in a local political campaign."
A spokesman for Jesse Jackson Jr. campaign had no comment.
