Emmer returns campaign money from white supremacist
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Minnesota 6th Congressional District Republican Rep. Tom Emmer has returned $500 in campaign contributions from Earl Holt III, a white supremacist who reportedly influenced the suspect in the killing of nine African Americans at a Charleston, S.C., church last week.
"The check has been stamped, sealed, and delivered to be returned to the contributor," said Emmer spokesperson Rebecca Alery.
Emmer received a total of $500 from Holt during his congressional campaign, according to campaign finance records.
Emmer's predecessor, Michele Bachmann, received a total of $3,200 from Holt between her congressional and presidential campaigns.
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Bachmann did not respond to questions about whether she planned to return the money.
Holt's contributions went to an array of presidential candidates as well, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
All three candidates said they would be returning the money or contributing the donations to a fund for the shooting victims' families.
On his website, Roof cited Holt's organization, Council of Conservative Citizens, as inspiration.
