Democrats criticize Rell over campaign contributions

[Nutmegger]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- High-ranking state Democrats are accusing Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell of breaking her vow to reject campaign cash from lobbyists and people with influence over their employers' state contracts.

The donations in question, reported in Wednesday's editions of the Journal Inquirer newspaper of Manchester, total about $180,000. They were given to Rell's re-election campaign between November 2005 and June 2006.

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo, Democratic gubernatorial candidate John DeStefano and state Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr. on Thursday all weighed in on the issue, describing it in terms ranging from "disappointing" to "hypocrisy." DiNardo called on Rell to return the contributions.

But Rell campaign spokesman Rich Harris said Thursday that the governor is "absolutely tickled" that the issue came up, saying she can defend every donation and is glad for the chance to draw attention to her clean-campaigns promise.

Full article: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--connecticutgovern0914sep14,0,519861.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut
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I first heard this on NBC 30. Glad Rell is "tickled". Let's see what she has to say.