April 14, 2005
Apples Never Fall Far From The Tree

The AP has compiled a list lawmakers with relatives on their congressional or campaign staffs, all the Democrats are colored blue just to highlight the hypocrisy of the Democrats who think that when Tom DeLay does it that is an ethical violation:

_ House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas: Wife and daughter were paid more than $500,000 since 2001 for working for DeLay's campaign and political action committees.

_ Connecticut Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman: Son Matthew received about $34,000 and daughter Rebecca about $36,000 for working on the senator's 2004 presidential campaign.

_ Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash.: Nephew Todd Reichert was paid $3,000 last year, plus several hundred dollars for mileage, for serving as driver.

_ California Democratic Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark: Wife Deborah earns $2,400 a month for serving as campaign consultant.

_ Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif.: Wife Arlene Willis serves as congressional chief of staff at a salary of nearly $111,000.


_ Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.: Wife Laurie Stupak earned about $36,000 annually the past two years as the finance director for her husband's campaign.

_ Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio: Wife Elizabeth was paid about $1,730 a month during his 2004 campaign. She has worked as a campaign consultant for him since the 2001 election cycle.

_ Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif.: Cousin Ken Costa made about $45,000 for serving as a co-campaign manager last year.

_ Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah: Three college-age children worked on his campaign last year. Emily was paid $5,425, Jane $9,508 and Laura $17,766.

_ Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.: Sister-in-law Sharon Davis has been his campaign treasurer since 1994,and daughter Libby Davis was his campaign coordinator in the last half of 2004. Libby Davis was paid about $2,334 a month; Sharon Davis was paid about $1,000 a month for bookkeeping last year.

_ Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, employs his wife, Kathy, as his campaign manager. She was paid $21,791 over four months, including a $7,500 bonus last November.

_ New York Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop: Daughter Molly was paid $46,995 as his 2004 campaign's finance director.

_ California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher: Wife Rhonda Carmony makes $40,000 a year as his campaign manager.

HAT TIP: The Moderate Voice

UPDATE: Oh, and don't forget Senator Harry Reid and his family...

Posted by Matt Margolis on April 14, 2005 08:43 PM


Comments

Sorry, folks, but I have absolutely no problem with ANY of these folks hiring family members. After all, it isn't unusual for those in political families to take up a career in the realm of politics. As long as it can be verified that there is work for the cash, I don't see a problem.

Posted by: The Precinct Chair at April 14, 2005 11:04 PM


Excellent information here. I'd be interested, also, in the expanded stats as to our entire Senate and Congress because it's not uncommon for electeds to employ or pay as consultants their relatives. And, there's no law preventing it.

Posted by: -S- at April 15, 2005 01:42 AM


Why the hell do our Senators not have a press conference about this stuff? Get it out there and stand up. The dems have a press conference every half hour. We need to smack this bull down, and we need to get every dem bashing Delay in front of a camera somehow and ask them to condem the dems listed above. We need this out there but this site is the only place I am seeing it. meanwhile anything the dems say 1000 times is basically being turned into reality in the public's eyes.

Posted by: Rich at April 15, 2005 09:53 AM


I also don't see any problem with a family member WORKING for (any of them) and getting paid for it.

I'm assuming the stats you showed on DeLay are the ones the democrats are trumpeting around... notice, though, that they're posting the total for 2 people for at least 4 years worth of work... which skews the impression even in comparison to most of the other ones you posted.

That amount averages out to a bit over $60,000 each a year apiece... a fairly reasonable salary. I don't know for sure what they did for the money, but unless someone can prove they have not put in time and effort that they're being compensated for, then (as we all know) the allegation is spurious.

Posted by: LNC [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 15, 2005 11:45 AM