Washington state Republicans are taking aim at likely gubernatorial candidate Rep. Jay Inslee, pointing to a decades old donation from former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner.
“Congressman Inslee needs to send back Weiner’s tainted money. He needs to send the message that what Weiner did was inappropriate,” said Peter Graves, executive director of the state’s Republican Party.
“There’s obviously a relationship there. Not everybody gets a donation from him,” said Josh Amato, the Republican Party’s communications director, in explaining why the public appeal was made.
Mr. Inslee, who is expected to enter the 2012 gubernatorial election after Washington state governor Chris Gregoire announced she will not seek a third term, acknowledged the donation, saying he will donate it to Planned Parenthood.
“Jay plans to donate this decade-old contribution to Planned Parenthood,” said Joby Shimomura.
Mr. Weiner, who announced his resignation after revelations of an online sex scandal, contributed $1,000 to Mr. Inslee’s congressional campaign in 2000. It is reportedly the only donation made by Mr. Weiner to Mr. Inslee, according to federal campaign finance reports.
