Republicans are working to link House Democrats running for Senate seats in Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania with the ethics charges that have ensnared Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y).

The National Republican Senatorial Committee issued statements Thursday afternoon accusing Democratic Reps. Kendrick Meek of Florida, Charlie Melancon of Louisiana, Paul Hodes of New Hampshire and Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania of “standing by” Rangel because they had accepted — and not returned — campaign donations from his campaign committee and leadership political action committee.

The NRSC also took aim at Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, the Democratic nominee for an open Senate seat in that state.

The NRSC alleges that the Democrats have received contributions ranging from $5,500 (Meek) to $13,000 (Conway and Melancon).
Hours earlier, a special ethics subcommittee charged Rangel with 13 counts of violating House rules and federal laws.

Democrats have been downplaying the effect that Rangel’s ethics woes could have on their prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.