Senate Democrats are pleading with donors to give to Rep. Bruce Braley’s campaign as they struggle to pull off a victory in Iowa and save their endangered majority.
But there’s one key player holding onto his campaign cash: Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin.
Despite direct appeals from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other top Democrats, Harkin has refused to transfer money from his $2.4 million campaign account to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, according to sources and campaign finance records.
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Instead, the retiring Iowa senator has informed party leaders that he plans to use the campaign funds for a charitable contribution to an entity that bears his name: The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement at Drake University in Des Moines, according to sources close to discussions with the senator.
The issue has been the subject of multiple tense meetings. Reid first made a plea for money during a face-to-face meeting with Harkin in April, and again at another session in late summer when he was joined by Harkin and DSCC Chairman Michael Bennet of Colorado.
Harkin said no both times.
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The veteran Democrat has also complained in front of other senators about the ban on congressional earmarks, which has prevented him — a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee — from steering money to Drake University, said Democratic sources.
Finding a home for his official papers has been a priority for Harkin, who has served in the Senate for three decades after 10 years in the House.
Last year, Harkin announced he would not donate his papers to Iowa State University, his alma mater, after a dispute over the scope of research. He chose Drake University instead.
Read more:
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/iowa-2014-elections-harkin-millions-111958.html
