Scottsdale, Arizona (March 2, 2010) -- Jim Ward, Republican candidate for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, today called upon Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) to return or donate the $28,000 he has received from Chairman Charles Rangel (NY-15) and his National Leadership Political Action Committee (PAC).
“It is right for Rep. Mitchell to finally call for Rep. Rangel to step down as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee after it has been found that he violated House ethics rules,” said Jim Ward. “But equally important, Mitchell should either give back the contributions he received from Rangel or donate the funds to charity. This money is inappropriate.”
Mitchell received $20,000 in donations from Rep. Rangel’s National Leadership PAC from 2006 to 2008 and $8,000 in donations from Rangel for Congress for the ’06 and ’08 election cycles.
“Thanks Rep. Mitchell for seeing that the time for Charlie Rangel to step down is now but you ought to give back the money associated with Rangel’s unethical behavior,” added Ward.
Mitchell called for Rangel to step down from his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee after last week’s admonishment of Rangel by the House Ethics Committee. Rangel is under investigation by the ethics committee over several issues including his personal finances and taking two corporate funded trips to the Caribbean.
Jim Ward Calls for Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell to Return Contributions from Congressman Rangel and his PAC
March 2, 2010
