Chair Challenges O'Donnell to Return Unethical Campaign Donations

Pat Waak, Chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party, issued the following statement today:

"Recent reports in the press bring to light a very troubling and unethical pattern in Rick O'Donnell's fundraising practices. On top of his intimate March 9 special interest fundraiser uniting the EPA Administrator and lobbyists from the industries he regulates, we now learn that in 2002, Rick O'Donnell took thousands of dollars from telecom companies to help retire his campaign debt while he, as executive director of the Department of Local Affairs, had a direct impact on the regulation of the telecom industry in Colorado.

"In trying to defend his actions, O'Donnell told the Rocky Mountain News today that he thinks that in a democracy, "people have a right and a responsibility to put their money where their mouth is." [Rocky Mountain News, April 19, 2006]

"While Rick O'Donnell may believe that the special interests have a "responsibility" to try to buy his support for their agendas, hard-working Coloradoans still believe that they deserve a Representative who will fight for Colorado families regardless of whether or not they can afford to cut a $1000 check to a political campaign.

"If Rick O'Donnell is as serious about ethics reform in Washington as he claims to be, he should return all of the campaign donations he has solicited by selling access and influence to the special interests.

"We need new priorities in Washington. Colorado families deserve a Representative who will stand up for them, not Rick O'Donnell, who believes that only the special interest lobbyists and lawyers who can pay for access deserve to have their voices heard."