Politics on the Hudson

From AP:

WASHINGTON — An Iraqi war veteran running for Congress wrongly charged his own campaign thousands of dollars for renting part of his residence.

The candidate, former Army captain Jon Powers, said Thursday he will pay the money back.

Powers is one of several Democrats vying to replace Republican congressman Thomas Reynolds in the 26th congressional district, which runs from the Buffalo suburbs to the Rochester area.

Reynolds is not seeking re-election.

Campaign documents filed with the Federal Election Commission show his campaign paid $500 rent in January to Powers for space in his Williamsville home. According to a 2000 advisory opinion from the agency, it is a violation of FEC rules for a campaign to pay rent for space in a candidate’s home.

Asked Thursday about the rent payments, Powers’ campaign manager John Gerken said it was done in good faith and the candidate would return the money to the campaign account.