Brad Ellsworth to Donate Contributions from Rangel
Updated July 24, 10:30 a.m. ET
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) attempted to distance himself from ethics-embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) today.
Ellsworth, at left, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Indiana, put out a statement saying that he will donate $12,000 in contributions from Rangel that he received from 2005 to 2007.
"The bottom line, with Mr. Rangel or with anyone else in public office, is that actions have consequences," Ellsworth said in the statement. "Those who violate the public's trust must be held accountable and punished appropriately for their behavior. In light of these serious charges, there must be a thorough and expeditious trial."
Rangel has not donated any money to Ellsworth's current Senate campaign, but Ellsworth's move shows that Democrats don't want Rangel's upcoming ethics "trial" to become a campaign issue. Rangel's facing public hearings after his peers on the House ethics committee charged the former Ways and Means Committee Chairman with ethics violations.
Ellsworth is running in a tough election against former Republican Senator Dan Coats this November. The National Republican Senatorial Committee pounced on Ellsworth's statement after months of asking if he'd stand by Rangel.
"After almost five months, weâ??re not sure what took Congressman Ellsworth so long to finally heed Republicansâ?? calls to relinquish Charlie Rangelâ??s tainted campaign contributionsâ?? said NRSC Spokeswoman Amber Marchand in a statement.
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