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In one of his latest campaign commercials, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet attacks his challenger in the Democratic primary, former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, of being hypocritical for once benefiting from political action committee money, which Romanoff now criticizes.
“Sorry, Andrew,” the ad states, “now we know the truth.”
Romanoff did have his own personal PAC, the Romanoff Leadership Fund, but shut it down in January, saying he was wrong to establish it, as The Washington Post recently pointed out. “I believe I was wrong then, and I’m right now, and more candidates for public office should follow my lead,” Romanoff tells ABC/Washington Post’s Top Line program.
Now, Romanoff is infusing his campaign with cash he brought in from selling his 946-square-foot bungalow in the Washington Park neighborhood. He reaped $360,000 on the sale and has loaned his Senate campaign $325,000 in advance of the August 10 primary, reports The Denver Post.
“When I get to the Senate, I will continue to champion campaign finance reform so that Coloradans of modest means can win public office without selling their homes,” he says.
Bennet, who has received plenty of PAC money, has about $2.6 million in the bank. Romanoff reported about $464,000 at the end of June. On the Republican side of the race, Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck has personally loaned his campaign $100,000, notes the Fort Collins Coloradoan. Such loans can be repaid with future donations, something that’s easier for a candidate who wins.
Vanessa Martinez contributed to this post.