Politico: 'Watts Shills For Dems?'

From Politico ~ EXCLUSIVE …WATTS SHILLS FOR DEMS? Former Republican lawmaker-turned-lobbyist J.C. Watts is taking the unusual step of fundraising for the other side, co-hosting a fundraiser for...Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Watts, who founded J.C. Watts Companies, is listed as a host, along with Democrats from the firm Steven Pruitt, Jaimon Jackson, Tammy Boyd and former Oakland, Calif., Mayor Ron Dellums, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by POLITICO.

Attendees at the Sept. 16 breakfast at Watts’s Washington office are expected to contribute $5,000 to host, $2,500 to be a sponsor, $1,500 for PACs and $500 for individuals.

Clyburn spokesman Patrick Devlin said Watts’s co-hosting the event is no surprise. Clyburn and Watts “were friends as colleagues in the House and they remain friends,” Devlin said in an email. “[Clyburn] welcomes support from Democrats, Republicans and nonaffiliated folks alike.”

Fun Fact: Before he came to Congress, Clyburn worked for four South Carolina governors — two Democrats and two Republicans, including former House Republican Rep. Carroll Campbell.

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