“When (a donation) is under $250 it does not have to be itemized,” Boomer said. “They would need to make public the names of all the people that gave. Our point is that there’s no evidence.” Boomer also points out that Murphy has raised the least amount of money of the three Democratic challengers to Republican representatives in Connecticut. “We’re on track to raise the most money ever in a congressional race,” he said.
Democrats claim the Connecticut donation patterns show Johnson to be detached from her home district and too focused on Washington special interest groups. “Johnson has a blank check from D.C. interests,” said Merriam. The Johnson campaign pointed to her record of service and contacts fostered over the last 23 years.
“Nancy Johnson is a senior member of the house,” said Boomer. “She has the network not only in the state but around the country of people that support her.” Boomer also dismissed any notion of Johnson being a Washington insider. “(Johnson) has major leadership positions in Washington,” he said. “She is down there to make all of her meetings and attend to house business. When house adjourns, she comes right back to the district."
Statistics from the Center for Responsive Politics show Johnson receiving large contributions from the insurance and healthcare sectors in 2005, when she co-authored the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit legislation.
In 2005, a non-election year, the legislation included language to provide for penalties for people who miss enrollment deadlines for the prescription drug program. The penalties drew criticism and gave Murphy, who chairs the Public Health Committee of the Conn. General Assembly, a chance to sound off on the campaign trail.
“Congress needs to act now to stop this unfair double-taxation of seniors,” said Murphy in a March 15 statement, 60 days before the enrollment deadline. Johnson, who heads the House Subcommittee on Health, was quoted by the Associated Press May 15 saying she planned to introduce legislation waiving the penalty. The Murphy camp fired back May 19 with a press release accusing Johnson of breaking a promise to oppose cuts to education, health care, and veterans’ services when she voted to approve a budget resolution with cuts to what Murphy called “vital programs.” Murphy will, in all likelihood, be subject to similar financial criticism at the hands of the Republicans.
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