Ed Rendell was one of Katie McGinty’s early prominent supporters.
Just six days after she announced her candidacy, it was revealed that Rendell would chair her campaign. Ever since then, the Pennsylvania Republican Party has tried to use the outspoken former Governor against her.
First, there were the comments he made to Jonathan Tamari of the Inquirer which suggested McGinty had to spend $3.5 million to $4 million in TV ads in order to win the Senate Democratic primary.
Then, despite the fact that McGinty released her first TV spot and EMILY’s List pledged $1 million worth of support, Rendell spoke up again.
It was those comments that lead the PA GOP to file a formal complaint to the FEC, alleging improper coordination.
“Katie McGinty’s campaign chairman blatantly discussed coordinating with outside groups in violation of election laws,” PA GOP Communications Director Megan Sweeney said. “Ed Rendell has spent weeks begging for money for Katie McGinty’s struggling campaign, and now it looks like her campaign chairman will do anything to get her elected.”
“Mr. Rendell was clearly speaking on his own accord, and not on behalf of EMILY’s List – nor is he authorized to do so,” EMILY’s List Communications Director Marcy Stech told PoliticsPA. “The fact is that Pennsylvania Republicans would rather waste time playing petty politics than deal with Sen. Toomey’s deeply unpopular and indefensible Washington record.”
As for the question of whether Rendell will keep a low profile over the next few weeks, Alex Roarty of Roll Call quoted him again today on how much TV money McGinty will need to spend per week to win.
McGinty is running against former Congressman Joe Sestak and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman in the April 26th Senate Democratic primary.
2 Responses
A public statement to a reporter is not coordination. Toomey’scampaign people need to buy a dictionary.
Emily’s list statement didn’t deny coordination.