Number	22951
Subject	Campaign Finance
Source	Herald-Leader (Lexington, Ky.)
State	KY
Year	2006
Publication Date	10/15/2006; 10/18/2006; 10/20/2006; 10/22/2006
Summary	The Herald-Leader investigates U.S. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, whose campaign fundraising has reached impressive levels to the tune of $220 million, largely on behalf of fellow Republican senators. As the 2006 mid-term elections approached, McConnell was seen as a likely contender for Senate Majority leader, should the Republicans retain control (they did not, and he is now Senate Minority Leader). Anticipating this news, the Herald-Leader "examined McConnell's 22-year record of aggressive fundraising, cozy ties with top donors and related actions in the Senate." The newspaper found that McConnell benefited from his "influence over a little-known foreign aid committee; his marriage to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, who regulates his corporate donors; and a former McConnell chief of staff turned Washington "gatekeeper lobbyist," whose clients tend to receive appropriations earmarks and helpful legislation from McConnell." McConnell has gained a reputation as an opponent of campaign-finance reform.
Category	Contest Entry
Pages	53
Keywords	Campaign finance; Mitch McConnell; Elaine Chao; Senate Minority Leader
Related Links
Related Video
Contest Questionnaires	Only members can download contest entry questionnaires! Log in to get access.
Ordering info	Want to place an order? Email us or call us at 573-882-3364 (Stories are only available to members of IRE. For membership information, please refer to our membership page)