Senator’s Switch to GOP Spurs Call for Refund
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WASHINGTON — Democrats want Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado to pay for his conversion to the Republican Party--$255,460.42, to be exact.
That’s how much the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee poured into his 1992 campaign.
Campbell survived a three-way primary and then defeated Republican Terry Considine with 52% of the vote. Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), the committee chairman, told Campbell in a letter released Wednesday that the committee had given him “the critical resources necessary to win.”
Campbell responded that he had sought advice from Senate Republican leaders and is exploring whether there is any precedent for returning the contributions. He said he wanted to do the right thing for contributors.
But he added: “My personal view at this time is that my better-than-80% voting record with the Administration and the Democratic leadership during my first two years as a U.S. senator is more than ample repayment for their support.”
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