Last week we rolled out a new feature called the Midterm Muck Project; it’s a list of races where ethics and/or corruption will be a defining issue. We’ll be following these this fall as part of TPM’s broader Election 2006 project. In part, we’re doing this to see how much ethics really does play a role this November; but also, we’ll want to be on these races to catch incumbents when they try to spin their way out of trouble.
I had a preliminary list, but asked readers to send in more examples of ethically challenged Members that might be worth our attention.
And after combing through the entries, we’ve added two more to the tally: Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) and Rep. JD Hayworth (R-AZ).
Now, if your entry didn’t make the cut, don’t despair. We can still be convinced. But we want evidence that not only does your rep have serious ethical problems, but also that those problems will have a significant impact on the campaign. We will be watching mostly close races, but we’re more than happy to make exceptions for rarities like Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), who is polling strongly despite his very considerable muckiness.
Again, to help, send in your rep’s name, a brief description of the muck, and, if possible, a link to a supporting article.
Here’s our running tally:
In the Senate:
Conrad Burns (R-MT)
Katherine Harris (R-FL)
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
In the House:
Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH)
Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA)
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)
Duke Cunningham special election – Brian Bilbray
Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC)
Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY)
Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY)
Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA)
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA)
Rep. JD Hayworth (R-AZ)
Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA)
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV)
