Aug 23, 2010
Eric Cantor Stands Behind Candidate with Alleged History of Domestic Violence and Reckless Behavior
A shocking investigation by the Miami Herald and CBS 4 Miami alleged that highly touted Republican candidate, David Rivera, has a history of domestic violence and even ran a delivery truck off the road to prevent a rival candidate’s campaign literature from being mailed about the situation. House Republican Whip and Young Guns Program founder, Representative Eric Cantor, has touted and supported Rivera’s campaign, including naming him to the top NRCC Young Guns program, contributing to his campaign and campaigning with him in Florida.
"One day Republican leaders like Eric Cantor promote the candidacy and character of David Rivera and the next these explosive revelations come to light," said spokesperson Jennifer Crider for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Domestic violence and running trucks off the road aren’t new allegations, but that hasn’t stopped David Rivera from lying about them and Eric Cantor from ignoring them in hopes of winning an election. Eric Cantor is sending a clear message to women: dangerous, scandal plagued candidates like David Rivera represent the kind of leadership Republicans are offering voters this November."
BACKGROUND:
- In an investigative report, the Miami Herald discredited Rivera story surrounding past domestic violence allegations. The paper discovered that David Rivera did in fact had ties the victim in question despite his denials. [Miami Herald, 8/19/10]
- CBS 4 Miami discredited David Rivera’s account of what took place in a traffic accident where a truck carrying literature from a rival campaign was driven off the road. The station reported that police reports contradicted Rivera’s story about his role in the 2002 accident. In the incident, a truck carrying flyers from a rival campaign, detailing the alleged domestic violence charges, en route to a post office was driven off the road by David Rivera. [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Rivera also lied about his personal ties to a controversial businessman. As CBS 4 Miami reported, Rivera “denied to the Miami Herald being friends with a principal of a group that advises companies on how to trade with Cuba despite several prominent witnesses who said the two men were close.” [CBS 4 Miami, 8/17/10]
- Throughout the course of his campaign, Republican leaders in Washington have gone out of their way to tout Rivera’s candidacy. Not only is Rivera a member of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, but NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions went out of his way to highlight Rivera’s candidacy on NBC’s Meet the Press just one month ago. Both Republican Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican Whip Eric Cantor have supported Rivera’s campaign with fundraisers. In total the three have given $25,000 to Rivera’s campaign. [Meet the Press, 7/18/10; NRCC Press Releases, 4/6/10 and 4/13/10; St. Petersburg Times, 4/27/10; Miami Herald, 4/14/10; FEC.gov, accessed 8/20/10]
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