SEIU

We won’t know about all the last minute money into the hot Maryland congressional primaries until the next few days, but here are a couple of eyebrow-raising donations from the past week:

The Club for Growth, a conservative political action committee (PAC) backing state Sen. Andy Harris in the First District Republican primary, are denouncing a major television ad-buy by another PAC, Republicans Who Care, in support of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.

In its latest ad, Republicans Who Care labels Harris and state Sen. E.J. Pipkin as “politicians who waste millions of your tax dollars – for a dancehall in Montgomery County, to redecorate offices in Annapolis, even for a Cow Museum” – similar to Club for Growth commercials aired against Gilchrest. The issue ad asks, “No wonder our taxes went up,” and encourages people to contact Harris and Pipkin.

This morning, the Club for Growth called Republicans Who Care, “a sham group fronting” for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), citing a recent FEC filing showing a $200,000 transfer from the labor group. The Club for Growth notes this covers the $180,000 First District ad buy.

Touting his 93% rating from the AFL-CIO and support for the statewide living wage, Rep. Al Wynn is hitting back against recent attack ads and other allegations from labor groups against his record in Congress.

Earlier this week, Wynn's re-election campaign released a rebuttal to "distortions and outright lies" of the powerful Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - "a group headquartered in New York City."

SEIU COPE recently launched a media campaign attacking Wynn's ties to energy lobbyists, travel, and pay in Congress.

SEIU COPE adOn Monday, the Service Employees International Union's Committee On Political Education launched new advertisements attacking Fourth District Rep. Al Wynn’s ties to energy lobbyists and incumbency.

The ads attack Wynn for exotic junkets, pay raises, House members’ $165,000 salaries and alleges campaign contributions from oil and gas companies influenced his votes. His 15 years in office are stressed in the casino-themed ads, which also promote his opponent, Donna Edwards.

An accompanying press release from labor and progressive groups announced an “extensive campaign” on Edwards’ behalf.