Donovan, Rose battle in first congressional debate
Talk dominated by Big Pharma contributions, residency
In their first debate in a closely watched congressional race, Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan and his Democratic opponent Max Rose hit each other with charges over campaign contributions tied to Big Pharma and carpet-bagging.
A questioner from the audience noted that Donovan had accepted campaign contributions from Perdue Pharma, the company that manufactures OxyContin, an opioid found to be addictive to patients. Donovan countered that it was not Perdue Pharma that gave money to his campaign, but “two individuals who work for the company.”
Donovan quickly added that he took the controversial campaign contributions, totaling nearly $10,000, and donated the money to two local organizations that help people suffering from drug addiction.