Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut). Photo from Facebook

The Mohegan Tribe donated $3,000 to help re-elect Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), whose tenure as attorney general in Connecticut garnered him a reputation as an Indian fighter.

Blumenthal fought against federal recognition for three tribes in the state and secured unprecedented rulings that led to a reversal of favorable determinations in two cases. As attorney general, he testified against legislation to fix the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar

Since being elected to the Senate in 2010, Blumenthal has largely stayed silent on Indian issues. He has not sponsored any tribal bills and has not supported the Carcieri fix.

More recently, Blumenthal has questioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs for proposing Part 83 reforms to the federal recognition process. But he softened his position on a questionable provision that could allow the state of Connecticut to object if previously rejected groups were allowed to resubmit petitions.

In addition to the $3,000 donation from the tribe, Chuck Bunnell, the tribe's chief of staff, donated $1,596 to Blumenthal's campaign.

Get the Story:
Blumenthal raises $1M in three months for re-election bid (The Stamford Advocate 4/19)

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