As the end of 2013 approaches, the Washington Examiner is taking a look back at the biggest stories and issues of the year. Today, it’s political scandals.
Anthony Weiner and Mark Sanford, laughingstocks in previous years, both sought to fix their reputations by running for office. But while Sanford won a House seat, Weiner succumbed to further scandal and his New York City mayoral candidacy flopped. Elsewhere, a sexual harassment controversy ended the career of a staple of San Diego politics, and an investigation into improper gifts derailed a promising politician’s national aspirations.
Here are some of the top Examiner stories of 2013 on political scandals:
Anthony Weiner admits sending extramarital texts after his resignation from Congress over sexting scandal
By Susan Ferrechio, July 23
The disgraced former Congressman hoped to leave his sexting embarrassment behind as he ran for New York City mayor this year. But after new revelations, Weiner became better known as Carlos Danger than as a legitimate candidate.
The news conference followed revelations from a gossip website claiming to have new emails and an explicit photo sent last year from Weiner to a 22-year-old woman who said the former congressman used the alias “Carlos Danger,” to protect himself from getting caught.
Click here to read the entire story.
DNC’s Debbie Wasserman Schultz calls on San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign
By Susan Crabtree, July 26
The San Diego mayor’s scandal blew up quickly, as more and more women came forward with stories of Filner’s inappropriate actions. As his own party abandoned him, Filner held out for another month before finally resigning his post in late August.
“The misconduct Mayor Bob Filner has been accused of is reprehensible and indefensible,” Wasserman Schultz said. “I am personally offended by his actions, and I firmly believe no employee should face a hostile environment or harassment at their place of employment.”
Click here to read the entire story.
On the slide: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell
By Steve Contorno, June 17
McDonnell was flying high and seemed destined for national political prominence, until the FBI and a federal grand jury began investigating his ties to an influential campaign donor.
Federal authorities are looking into McDonnell’s relationship with Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. Williams for years showered McDonnell with campaign contributions and gifts, including vacations and use of his Ferrari. Williams also paid the $15,000 catering bill for the wedding of McDonnell’s daughter, something the governor failed to report for two years.
Click here to read the entire story.
After an apology tour, Mark Sanford settles in to Congress
By Rebecca Berg, July 19
Four years after a strange disappearance and extramarital affair made him a national punchline, Mark Sanford won a special election to represent South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite his electoral success, he found it hard to shake the scandal.
No one wanted to work with him.
“There were multiple committee chairmen who expressed concerns with having Mark on their committee,” one House aide said. “Mark had gotten so much attention during his race that they didn’t really want distractions.”
