Blue Dog PAC planning to return NRA money

WASHINGTON — A political fundraising group that has supported Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park as it seeks to elect moderate Democrats to the U.S. House is giving back a donation from the National Rifle Association after the Miami Herald questioned the transaction.

The Blue Dog PAC, which also has doled out campaign cash to Rep. Charlie Crist during the 2018 election cycle, said Tuesday it would return a $4,950 contribution from the National Rifle Association’s political arm in July 2017.

The PAC also will not cash a $5,000 check from the National Rifle Association given to the Blue Dogs in January 2018, about two weeks before the nation’s deadliest high school shooting in Parkland.

“I am disappointed to learn that the Blue Dogs’ political arm accepted a contribution from the NRA, and I strongly urge them to return the contribution,” Murphy said in an email. “I am proud of the ‘F’ rating I’ve earned from the NRA. In recent weeks, we have seen historic progress and a major shift in the national conversation about how to prevent senseless gun violence, yet the NRA has continued to put the interests of corporate gun manufacturers above keeping our schools and communities safe.”

Murphy and Crist, who were both in favor of guncontrol measures before the Parkland shooting, said they were not aware that the Blue Dogs’ PAC received NRA money. Murphy and Crist have both received $7,000 in direct campaign contributions from the Blue Dog PAC this election cycle.

Crist echoed statement.

“In keeping with the Blue Dog PAC’s decision not to accept NRA money, it would be prudent and correct that they return any contributions received this cycle,” Crist said in an email.

The NRA’s political activity has come under increased scrutiny after the Parkland shooting on Valentine’s Day. Pro-gun control student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have hammered Republicans such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for accepting contributions from the NRA, and organized marches around the world with the intent of changing the nation’s gun laws. Murphy’s