Columbus Dispatch: Democrats Attack DeWine for Santorum Fundraiser

By Jonathan Riskind

Democrats are criticizing Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine for co-hosting a $1,000-per-person fundraiser on April 28 in suburban Cleveland for a fellow Republican, Sen. Rick Santorum, of Pennsylvania.

Seizing on DeWine’s recent campaign fundraiser appearance on behalf of embattled Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee charges DeWine is coming to the aid of too many Republicans who are under fire.

Santorum is considered vulnerable for re-election his year, in part because of questions that have been raised about his relationships with lobbyists as the scandal continues to percolate around disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Santorum helped head the “K Street Project” that has tried to ensure that Republicans get high-level lobbying jobs. Ney is under federal investigation for his ties to Abramoff, though Ney denies any wrongdoing.

“Is there anyone Mike DeWine won’t raise money for?” said DSCC spokesman Karl Frisch, noting that Santorum already has thrown a fundraiser for DeWine.

It’s standard practice for lawmakers from both parties to throw fundraisers for colleagues on the same side of the aisle. A DeWine spokesman said the senator’s fundraising relationship with Santorum isn’t a campaign issue.

April 20, 2006 | Filed Under DSCC, News Mentions 

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