As questions continue to swirl around embattled U.S. Representative Charlie Rangel’s (D-NY) serious and potentially unlawful ethical violations, Kentuckians are reminded that Rangel holds a long-standing and close friendship with liberal Democrat Senate hopeful Jack Conway (D-KY).

In 2002, Rangel spent political capital on Conway’s behalf in the final days before Election Day when the liberal trial lawyer was running for Congress. At the time, Al Cross wrote for the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Congressional challenger Jack Conway brought the leading black congressman to Louisville yesterday to boost a key part of his campaign to oust Rep. Anne Northup — getting African Americans to go to the polls and vote for him.

Conway and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, made five stops in western Louisville, three at predominantly black churches.

Perhaps this sheds some light on Conway’s continued refusal to return at least $13,000 that he has received from Rangel’s campaign committee and leadership PAC?

“If there was any question who Jack Conway would answer to if he makes it to Washington, his refusal to return Charlie Rangel’s tainted campaign cash certainly puts that question to rest,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Press Secretary Amber Marchand. “Instead of standing up for Kentuckians, liberal trial lawyer Conway would rather hang on to campaign contributions and stand by his long-time friend and one of Nancy Pelosi’s top lieutenants. Kentuckians deserve more than another rubberstamp for President Obama’s failed economic agenda, and that’s why they will elect Rand Paul to the U.S. Senate this November.”

Background Information:

In 2002, Conway Campaigned With Now Scandal-Plagued New York Representative Charles Rangel. “Conway and Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, made five stops in western Louisville, three at predominantly black churches.” (The [Louisville, KY] Courier-Journal, “Election 2002; Conway Gets Help Wooing Black Voters,” Al Cross, October 28, 2002)

The Courier- Journal In 2002: “Rep. Charles Rangel Of New York And House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt Came To Boost Conway’s African-American And Labor Support, Respectively.” (The [Louisville, KY] Courier-Journal, “Northup Leading Conway,” Al Cross, November 3, 2002)

Jack Conway Has Accepted At Least $13,000 From Rangel’s Campaign Committee And Leadership PAC:

Conway Accepted $1,000 In March 2002, And Two $1,000 Contributions In August Of 2002 From Rangel For Congress. (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed 2/25/10)

In The 2002 Cycle, Conway Accepted $10,000 From Rangel’s Leadership PAC. (Center For Responsive Politics Website, http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00302588&cycle=2002, Accessed 2/25/10)