Reaction to VT candidate returning Sherwood's money

WILLISTON -Republican U.S. House candidate Martha Rainville announced late Tuesday that she will return a $1,000 campaign contribution from a congressman involved in a lawsuit alleging domestic violence.

Republican candidate Kathy Scott said in an email to me:

Ms. Rainville is distancing herself from Don Sherwood's admittedly dishonest and allegedly abusive actions. I hope the voters in PA District 10 will do the same thing when they go to vote in the May 16th Primary Election.

She also told the CV: "I'm glad that at least the people of Vermont, and hopefully the people of Pennsylvania, are understanding Sherwood's values and distancing herself," Scott, 59, said Thursday. "They don't want to be associated with a person who lives his life and has these kinds of ethics … If he was innocent, he should have fought the lawsuit."

In a press release Democrat Chris Carney also blasted Sherwood:

"Ms. Rainville is making the right choice by returning Don Sherwood’s tainted money," said Chris Carney.

"The more Republicans learn about Don Sherwood's moral lapses, the allegations of abuse of women and his secret deals, the more they are going to turn away from him and return his tainted money," said Carney. "The more they learn about him the more they are going to look for new leadership that will bring Pennsylvania's values to Washington, not the other way around."

"Republicans, independents and Democrats want someone who will make them proud again- not someone who has become an embarrassment to the families of Pennsylvania, and now Vermont as well."

Efforts to reach Rainville and Sherwood were unsuccessful.

Nathan Wurtzel, the treasurer for Don's PAC, said the committee has not received the check Rainville was returning and had not received any refunds from any of the other congressional candidates it gave money. "Congressman Sherwood directed this contribution … in order to strengthen and expand the Republican House majority," Wurtzel said in a prepared statement he read over the phone. "It is regrettable that the decision to return the contribution was based on a false accusation from a civil court case that was dismissed six months ago."