Harkin Campaign Aide Gave Iowa State A Donor List

By RYAN J. FOLEY

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) ⿿ U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's campaign fundraiser gave Iowa State University a list of possible donors to his namesake research institute, records show, though university officials have promised the powerful Democrat would have no influence over the center.

The Harkin Institute of Public Policy would house the papers of the senator, who recently announced he would not seek a sixth term in 2014. The Iowa Board of Regents approved the institute in 2011 over objections of Republicans, who argued that naming it after a sitting lawmaker would raise ethical questions.

Harkin has at times tried to distance himself from the institute by noting the university operates it. But emails obtained by The Associated Press under the public records law show Jeremy Gold, his campaign's finance director, suggested revisions to a fundraising brochure at Harkin's request and gave ISU's charitable foundation a list of people and corporations who could be solicited.

Donations to the institute at Harkin's alma mater have recently slowed, and it has raised $3.3 million in pledges toward a planned $10 million endowment. Backers say it will conduct valuable research and preserve the papers of a lawmaker who helped ban discrimination against the disabled and shape farm policy.

In releasing the list of potential donors to the AP, Iowa State blacked out names of 12 people and 16 companies on it, saying the law allows it to shield their identities.

Gold sent the list to ISU Foundation Vice President Larissa Holtmyer Jones on Oct. 31, writing, "I understand that you will share with the appropriate individuals."

Harkin on Friday defended his actions in connection with the institute, saying he is working to make it successful for students and researchers.

"I've spoken positively to Iowans and others about the benefits I hope the Harkin Institute can bring to ISU. I've shown interest in its development. But others have done the direct fundraising," Harkin said. "Iowans know I would not connect any official action of mine to any contribution, and I'm confident my efforts to help ISU have been within established rules."

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