David Vitter Hounded by Questions on Ex-Aide's Arrest
Louisiana's Republican Sen. David Vitter, no stranger to controversy, kicked off his re-election campaign yesterday amid questions about an aide who recently resigned after it was revealed the aide has had numerous brushes with the law, including a conviction for attacking a woman two years ago.
Vitter aide Brent Furer resigned two weeks ago after news reports disclosed his troubled past. In 2008, Furer pleaded guilty to holding a girlfriend at knifepoint and stabbing her in the hand. He is still wanted on an open warrant in Baton Rouge stemming from an unresolved misdemeanor DWI charge, the Associated Press reported.
Vitter reportedly disciplined Furer after the 2008 conviction but kept him on his staff. The senator reportedly did not know about Furer's prior arrest record.
In the two weeks since the news of Furer's past broke, Vitter has avoided reporters -- until yesterday, when he filed for re-election at the Louisiana secretary of state's office.
The senator refused to answer questions about the incident, CBS affiliate WWLTV reports, except to strike down reports that Furer handled women's issues in his office.
"That's just one of several issues that have been completely misreported," Vitter said. "Tonya Newman, Nicole Hebert in my office are assigned to those positions. That's always been the case."
Later in the day, MSNBC reports, Vitter reiterated that point -- but also said Furer handled abortion issues.
"[Furer] handled issues including abortion issues, including several other issues, but not women's affairs," Vitter told a reporter on camera.
The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence claims that Vitter's office portrayed Furer as the point man on women's issues, WWLTV reports.
Vitter's Democratic challenger Rep. Charlie Melancon, who is currently lagging in polls, has jumped on the news about Furer to criticize Vitter.
"This is why I'm running," Melancon said, the Advocate newspaper reports. "I'm a father and I have a daughter. What's he doing with a guy like this on his staff?"
Yesterday, Melancon predicted the race would get "very dirty," the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
"People in Louisiana vote their conscience and they vote for the person," he said.
Melancon could use the news about Furer, along with Vitter's past connection to a Washington prostitution ring, as campaign ammunition against the incumbent.
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