Ottenhandshake

Les Otten Loves Democrats

By Matthew Gagnon
October 22, 2009

Ted Ropple of the Republican Project touched on something I’ve been meaning to write about for a week or two.  Les Otten has money.  He gives some of it away.  A lot of time to politicians.  An inordinate amount of the time, the money he donates to political campaigns happens to go to Democrats.  Les Otten is running for the Republican nomination for Governor.

While giving to Democrats is not a sin, and I would never start throwing haymakers at a candidate for tossing some cash at a Democrat or two (hey, I’ve done it – I’ve voted for my share of Democrats as well) – it does seem odd to me just how often and how much he has donated to Democrats over the years.

Take a look at Otten’s financial contributions for yourself:

  • 1000.00 - Jane Amero for Congress (10/25/2000)
  • 2000.00 – Collins for Senator (02/23/2001)
  • 1000.00 – [Rick] Bennett for Congress (03/23/2001)
  • 1000.00 – Citizens for [Joe] Biden (08/13/2001)
  • 1000.00 – Kevin Raye for Congress (11/01/2001)
  • 500.00 – Charlie Summers for Congress Committee (09/11/2007)
  • 1000.00 – Michaud for Congress (02/15/2008)
  • 2000.00 – [Adam] Cote for Congress (06/08/2008)
  • 1800.00 - Charlie Summers for Congress Committee (06/09/2008)
  • 2300.00 – Collins for Senator (10/15/2008)
  • 2000.00 – Charlie Summers for Congress Committee (10/24/2008)
  • 2000.00 – Chellie Pingree for Congress (10/27/2008)

In 2008 alone, Otten gave money to three separate Democrats.  Back in 2001, he tossed some cash to Joe Biden.  I find it interesting that in 2001 he gave money five times, four times to Maine Republicans, and then in 2008 he gave money six times, and only three of those times was it to Republicans.  In other words, he has been trending more Democratic in his political contributions.

In fact, he gave money to both sides of the same race – Charlie Summers and Chellie Pingree.  That’s the very definition of hedging your bets.

This information has understandably not been met positively in the conservative activist community.  Already skeptical of Otten’s Republican bona fides, this news is likely to further damage his standing with primary voters.

He’s got some work to do if he wants to represent the Republican Party.

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6 Responses to “Les Otten Loves Democrats”

  1. Mike

    23. Oct, 2009

    This is ridiculous. He needs to drop out now and save himself any further embarrassment.

  2. Matthew Gagnon

    23. Oct, 2009

    Mike,

    FYI I’m working on a comprehensive list of donations from all the candidates at both the federal and the state level.

    Should be fun to look at this, no?

  3. Mike

    23. Oct, 2009

    Indeed, though I’d bet everything I have against everything you have that none of the Dems have *ever* donated to a Republican.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Giving By Republican Candidates - Augusta Insider - 23. Oct, 2009

    [...] several have noted that Republican gubernatorial candidate Les Otten has given donations to a variety of [...]
  2. Otten Fires Back: Says He Loves Democrats A Lot Less Than You Think | Pine Tree Politics - 31. Oct, 2009

    [...] Otten has gotten hammered recently, by myself and others (and others) [and others] for his donations over the years to Democratic politicians.  [...]
  3. Beware The Litmus Tests | Pine Tree Politics - 01. Nov, 2009

    [...] over the edge.  It is one thing to raise legitimate concern over something – like Les Otten donating to several political opponents of his party, and then implying that creating jobs requires buying favors with lawmakers – [...]

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