Incumbents being investigated raise $1.2M
WASHINGTON -- Seven lawmakers seeking re-election while under federal investigation raked in nearly three times as much in campaign donations as their opponents in the latest fundraising period, records show.
The incumbents raised more than $1.2 million, while six challengers raised almost $425,000 in the three months ending Sept. 30, according to Federal Election Commission records. Three of the incumbents — including Rep. William Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat under indictment on corruption charges — don't have announced opponents; some have multiple opponents. Of the seven, only Jefferson has been charged with a crime. All have denied wrongdoing.
Many contributors want to influence current actions in Congress, not necessarily the next election, says Elizabeth Garrett, a law and political science professor at the University of Southern California.
"If you're an interest group, what you're concerned about is, 'Will this person continue to be in a position to do things in my favor or to keep bad things from happening?' " Garrett says.
Despite the investigations, most of the lawmakers remain in powerful positions. Three are members of the appropriations committees that control federal spending.
Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young took in $143,000 during the past quarter, compared with $236,000 for the same period in 2005, when he was chairman of the transportation committee.
Young's campaign spent more on lawyers — nearly $185,000 — than it took in, but it ended September with nearly $1.5 million in the bank, the most of any lawmaker under investigation. Young's two Democratic opponents ended the quarter with less than $60,000 on hand combined. Young's biggest donor during the quarter was the Sheet Metal Workers International Association political committee, which gave $10,000.
The Associated Press, the Anchorage Daily News and other news organizations have reported that federal authorities are investigating Young's ties to oilfield services executives who have pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska state lawmakers. "I can't really comment on the ongoing investigation," Young told the AP in August.
