Pelz to Reichert: Return DeLay’s Dollars
According to local Democrats, Dave Reichert, the Republican Congressman from the eastside, has accepted $20,000 in “tainted” money from disgraced former House Majority Leader Tom Delay, who announced yesterday that he is leaving Congress.
Now Dwight Pelz, the chairman of the Washington State Democrats, is urging Reichert to give the money back. Here’s an excerpt from the strongly-worded press release:
“People have given back campaign contributions from super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and people should give back their dirty DeLay dollars, especially Dave Reichert,” said Pelz. “This money is all part of the same Republican culture of corruption, and it’s wrong for Reichert to hold onto it.”Pelz noted that Reichert has accepted $20,000 in tainted money from Tom DeLay and his political action committees, and that Reichert has voted with DeLay 97 percent of the time.
“Tom DeLay is a crook and he’s doled out thousands of dollars in crooked cash,” said Pelz. “Dave Reichert should do the right thing, denounce Tom DeLay and give back this dirty money.”
Despite all scandals, indictments and today’s announcement that DeLay won’t run for reelection, Reichert still hasn’t returned the money he accepted from DeLay and his PAC.
“From his tenure as King County Sheriff to his time now as a member of Congress, Dave Reichert has repeatedly demonstrated a pattern of turning a blind eye to bad behavior,” said Pelz. “Tom DeLay’s downfall should cause Reichert to take a good look at his own prospects for reelection this November. The people of the 8th district want honest leadership and reform, not Republican yes-men who take tainted money from the likes of DeLay.”
Uh....Hasn't Sen Patty Murray kept Abramoff's money?