Washington, D.C.
Embattled Ohio Republican Bob Ney shut down his congressional re-election campaign this week, saying he didn’t want to put his family “through this ordeal.” As part of a guilty plea last year, disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff admitted he had lavished expensive gifts on Ney, in exchange for Ney’s backing on legislation favoring Abramoff’s clients. Ney’s former chief of staff, lobbyist Neil Volz, has made similar claims. The national Republican Party subsequently cut off funds to Ney’s campaign, and Ohio Republican leaders pressed him to pull out. Republicans are now scrambling to find a ballot replacement to face Democratic candidate Zach Space. Ney, a six-term veteran of Congress, has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing.
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