Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock is mounting a challenge in the Republican primary against longtime Sen. Richard Lugar, trying to harness Tea Party unrest against the 36-year incumbent. And now, he’s seizing on a new wedge issue.
On Tuesday, Mourdock put out a press release attacking Lugar, for receiving the support of a certain big-name politician: New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, the former Republican turned independent, who will be hosting a fundraising dinner for Lugar in Manhattan in December.
Key quote:
“I am a little shocked but not completely surprised to learn that Senator Dick Lugar is yet again soliciting assistance from another liberal politician in an effort to fill his campaign coffers,” explained Treasurer Mourdock.
“So far this election cycle, Senator Dick Lugar has also received donations from many current and former left-leaning Republican Members of Congress including Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, former Clinton Administration Defense Secretary Bill Cohen and former Representative Mike Castle of Delaware. Now, Senator Lugar is relying on someone who openly left the Republican Party to help him raise campaign cash,” stated Christopher Conner Mourdock campaign spokesman.
