Democratic lawmaker promised six-figure salary to potential opponent, ethics documents reveal

Documents revealed by the House Ethics Committee on Monday included emails and other new information that back up ethics watchdogs’ suspicions that Illinois Democratic Rep. Marie Newman signed a contract promising a six-figure salary to a potential primary opponent in order to keep him out of the race.

The committee extended its review of an ethics referral against Newman and on Monday made public the full Office of Congressional Ethics report and exhibits that it says show Newman “may have promised federal employment to a primary opponent for the purpose of procuring political support.” The committee noted that further review “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”