Jesse Benton, Former Ron Paul Campaign Manager, Resigns From Mitch McConnell Re-Election Bid Days After Revelations Paul Campaign Bribed Iowa State Senator for Support
The revelation earlier this week by Republican Iowa State Sen. Kent Sorenson in federal court that he took bribes from both the Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul campaigns during the 2012 election season in exchange for his support in the all-important Iowa caucus was bound to have some fall-out. As a federal probe into Sorenson and the bribes continue, Jesse Benton, who managed Paul's campaign in 2008 and 2012 (and Rand Paul's in 2010) has resigned as campaign manager for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The Washington Post reports:
In a statement issued Friday evening, Benton cited "inaccurate press accounts and unsubstantiated media rumors about me and my role in past campaigns that are politically motivated, unfair and, most importantly, untrue."
"The press accounts and rumors are particularly hurtful because they are false," Benton wrote. "However, what is most troubling to me is that they risk unfairly undermining and becoming a distraction to this reelection campaign."
Benton previously weathered controversy over comments caught on tape that suggested he wasn't committed to McConnell's politics.
Reason.com has reached out to Benton for a statement.
Related: Brian Doherty asks Are Ron Paul's Fundraisers a Shadowy Threat to Rand Paul's Political Future?