INDIANAPOLIS - A Statehouse scandal is now an issue in the race for attorney general. Democrat Linda Pence is under fire from Republicans for her role in an old case.
When State Senator Sam Smith went to court six years ago accused of tax evasion, Linda Pence was his defense attorney. Smith eventually made a plea deal and paid his back taxes, but the case is back in a campaign commercial purchased by Indiana Republicans that criticizes Pence's choice of clients.
Both the Pence and Greg Zoeller (R) campaigns have traded attack ads. The Pence campaign said it welcomes comparisons.
"People come to Linda Pence because she's good and she's effective and she's a fighter and she wins. So we're not surprised at all that they're gonna attack Linda's clients. Her shoulders are broad, she can take that," said Joel Miller of the Pence campaign.
Meantime Republicans believe Sam Smith could be a deciding factor in a close race.
"She said early on in her campaign that she had no tolerance for corrupt politicians. But yet there's an example right here of her defending a guy, not only defending a guy but allowing him to keep his office by pleading to a lesser charge," said GOP spokesman Jay Kenworthy.
Polls show Greg Zoeller leading the race for attorney general but the new attack ad indicates that Linda Pence's negative campaign produced momentum for her. Pence's campaign manager said that, so far, there is no decision on whether to run a response ad.
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