DENVER—Democratic congressional candidate Joan Fitz-Gerald criticized primary rival Jared Polis Tuesday for accepting campaign donations from former supporters of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
Fitz-Gerald said Polis has taken more than $6,350 from five people who also contributed to the Swift Boat group, which aired attack ads against Democrat John Kerry during the 2004 presidential campaign.
“How does Jared reconcile accepting money from people, who not only support the war in Iraq, but did everything they could to destroy John Kerry’s honorable record?” said Mary Alice Mandarich, Fitz-Gerald’s campaign manager.
Fitz-Gerald’s criticism came as Polis returned from a trip to Iraq highlighting his opposition to the war.
Polis’ campaign manager, Wanda James, called the criticism “typical of Joan’s cynical approach to politics.”
James in turn criticized Fitz-Gerald for taking $24,000 from employees of Xcel Energy.
“We would be happy to compare donors,” James said. “It looks more and more like her campaign is a front for the oil and gas industry.”
Fitz-Gerald, Polis and Will Shafroth are in a primary battle to replace Democratic Rep. Mark Udall, who is leaving his 2nd Congressional District seat to run for Senate.
The Iraq war is expected to be a key issue in the primary race.
Fitz-Gerald recently stepped down from her post as president of the state Senate to campaign for Congress.
Polis is a billionaire high-tech entrepreneur and former member state Board of Education.
Shafroth is executive director of the Colorado Conservation Trust.
