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Democrats demand Sodrel return funds

Ninth District congressman accused of accepting contributions from former House Majority Leader DeLay

Ninth District Congressman Mike Sodrel has been busy the past few days: he voted to reduce protections in the federal Endangered Species Act, and in favor of a resolution asking the Supreme Court to support the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.

And he refused to consider returning campaign money connected to just-indicted House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Friday, the head of Indiana’s Democratic Party demanded that Indiana Republican Sodrel “return every penny” connected to DeLay’s influence and his political action committees.

“Southern Indiana residents have always expected their congressmen to abide by the strictest of ethical standards,” Daniel J. Parker said in a news release.

“Mike Sodrel should make clear to Hoosiers that Tom DeLay doesn’t represent our values. He should return DeLay’s tainted money immediately.”

Parker said DeLay has given more than $100,000 to the most recent Sodrel campaign. He said the cash came from two sources — direct contributions from his Americans for a Republican Majority PAC (ARMPAC) or from entrenched Republican House members who through a DeLay-led effort diverted their own campaign funds to fellow Republicans in close races.

Sodrel spokesman Cam Savage, reached on the road in Pennsylvania, said people should acknowledge that DeLay has been accused but not convicted. He said his boss would have no reason to return legally made campaign contributions.

“There is a presumption of innocence in this country, and we believe in that,” Savage said. “Obviously, this is a political ploy by the state Democratic Party.”

The allegations against DeLay say he misused campaign funds to get other Republicans elected.

Federal campaign finance reports show that Sodrel has received a total of $20,000 in 2004 and this year from DeLay’s ARMPAC.

Sodrel also has been designated to receive funds from DeLay’s Retain Our Majority Program (ROMP). Since 1999, the Texas Republican has channeled millions of dollars from the coffers of lawmakers safe in their seats to those perceived to be vulnerable to Democratic opposition.

During a ROMP event March 17, DeLay raised $1.5 million to funnel to 10 colleagues at risk of losing their seats, according to a story in The Hill, a newspaper that reports on the events of Congress.

Sodrel was one of the 10.

More than 90 lawmakers participated in that night’s fundraiser, The Hill reported. Each was allowed to attend after agreeing to transfer $1,000 — the maximum allowed by law — to the ROMP initiative.

A look at 2004 contributions to Sodrel’s campaign shows 26 such $1,000 donations to Sodrel from other House members, from Florida to California.

“If Sodrel is saying DeLay never raised money for him, I would be interested to hear that,” said Mike Edmondson, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party.

Savage said the ROMP money was not connected to DeLay, bristling at the suggestion the contributions were tinged with wrongdoing.

“ROMP may be his (DeLay’s) brainchild, but the money does not come from him and it’s a big stretch to make,” he said. “Besides, both parties have the same program. The Democrats call theirs ‘Frontline.’ Generally, House members in the same party support each other. It’s the way politics works.”