Coleman says he'll give back $20,000 from PAC linked to Alaska senator

His main opponent, DFLer Al Franken, responded with ad criticizing Coleman's association with Stevens.

By BRIAN BAKST, A ssociated Press

Last update: July 30, 2008 - 11:33 PM

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman said Wednesday that he would give away $20,000 in campaign contributions that came from a political action committee tied to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who is accused of concealing a quarter-million dollars' worth of personal gifts from oil interests in his state.

As Coleman's staff made that announcement, DFL challenger Al Franken began airing a statewide radio ad highlighting ties between Coleman and Stevens.

Coleman's campaign manager, Cullen Sheehan, said the senator will donate the money to childhood cancer research. The specific recipients haven't been selected, a campaign official said.

His decision follows that of at least five other Republican senators who are shedding contributions from Stevens' Northern Lights PAC.

Sheehan said Coleman "believes firmly in a presumption of innocence. But it is clear our political opponents will attempt to use this issue as a distraction."

The $20,000 Coleman is parting with includes money from his campaign account and a leadership committee connected with him.

He received $10,000 from the Northern Lights account in his 2002 campaign. But that money was spent already, said spokesman Mark Drake.

Franken campaign spokesman Andy Barr said Coleman also needs to relinquish past contributions he received from executives of oil services contractor Veco Corp., the company that is part of the Stevens scandal. Company executives reportedly helped arrange for renovations to Stevens' house and gave him other gifts as they lobbied him for government aid.

"Until that is done we will continue to call [Coleman] out for sitting on dirty money," Barr said.

The Franken ad

The Franken radio ad mentions three trips Coleman made to Alaska for invitation-only gatherings put on by Stevens and campaign contributions Coleman has gotten from "Big Oil."

Stevens, a legendary Senate power, invited Coleman to his annual fishing tournament after contributing money to Coleman's 2002 Senate run. Although Stevens has been the leading advocate for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration, Coleman has voted against that.

"There's nothing unethical about going on a fishing trip," Drake said Wednesday.

Franken's ad, titled "Awfully Fishy," concludes: "Minnesota shouldn't let Norm Coleman off the hook on this one."

Staff writer Bob von Sternberg contributed to this report.

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