Wealthy businessman Dan Meuser (R), who is close to announcing his intention to challenge Rep. Christopher Carney (D) in the 10th district, apparently has donated money over the years to Democratic candidates via a political action committee controlled by his company.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party in a news release this week sarcastically thanked Meuser for supporting Democrats in 2004 and 2006.

The aspiring Republican Congressional candidate’s firm, Pride Mobility Products, donated during each of the past two cycles to Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) — whom the National Republican Congressional Committee is hoping to target — as well as to eight other Democrats.

Kanjorski, who represents the 11th district, received $5,000 during that period from Pride Mobility Products’ PAC. Other Democrats receiving relatively modest contributions included then-Rep. Chris John (La.) and Reps. Mike Ross (Ark.) and Charlie Rangel (N.Y.).

Additionally, then-Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) and Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Kent Conrad (N.D.) also were on the receiving end of the company’s PAC donations.

NRCC spokesman Ken Spain dismissed the news as inconsequential, asserting that the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s decision to make an issue of the contributions is proof that Democrats are concerned about Carney’s political future.

“The fact that Democrats are already trying to go after Dan Meuser only proves how worried they are about Chris Carney’s ability to defend his abysmal record and hold on to his seat,” Spain said.
— David M. Drucker