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Amatul-Wadud Hits Neal Over Campaign Contributions

Attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud is taking on Congressman Richard Neal in next year's Democratic primary. Here, Amatul-Wadud addresses supporters during a campaign event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Adam Frenier
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NEPR
Attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud is taking on Congressman Richard Neal in next year's Democratic primary. Here, Amatul-Wadud addresses supporters during a campaign event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Updated at 7:14 a.m. on July 21, 2018.

The underdog in a Democratic primary for a western Massachusetts congressional seat is accusing U.S. Representative Richard Neal of taking too much money from special interests.

Attorney and congressional candidate Tahirah Amatul-Wadud is now charging that Neal has voted in favor of what she calls a "bloated" Pentagon budget over the years, while taking more than $300,000 in campaign contributions from the defense industry.

"When politicians take money from special interests, they have a conflicted loyalty between those interests and the interests of their voters, and I believe that is the same here with my opponent," she said.

In a statement, Neal's campaign said the money the congressman has raised will allow him to open campaign offices and reach voters in a variety of ways, as well as support other Democratic candidates around the country.

"Congressman Neal is proud to lead the charge for fairer taxes and universal healthcare, defending Social Security and Medicare, combating the opioid epidemic and income inequality, and fighting inhumane immigration policies," the statement concluded. It did not directly address Amatul-Wadud's complaint.

In the most recent campaign finance filing, Wadud reported she had a little over $37,000 in cash on hand.  Neal has nearly 100 times as much in the bank.

The Massachusetts primary is September 4.

Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.
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