In Minnesota, both parties benefit from Goldman Sachs contributions

With Goldman Sachs facing civil fraud charges stemming from misrepresentations of credit default swaps, Republicans and Democrats are attacking each other for accepting campaign contributions before the fraud charges were filed. In Minnesota, four members of the congressional delegation have taken money from Goldman Sachs this election cycle: Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, and Reps. Erik Paulsen and Keith Ellison. But over the last few years, many Minnesota Republicans and Democrats have taken from the Goldman Sachs trough.

Campaign contributions from Goldman have become toxic in a contentious campaign cycle that focuses on Wall Street and bailouts.

Since news of the fraud charges last week, Republican Rep. Mark Kirk of Illinois has returned $20,000 he received from the financial company, and Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas has vowed not to take any more contributions. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have attacked each other for close relationships with Goldman, and Republicans have criticized the nearly $1 million that President Obama accepted while he was a candidate for president.

In Minnesota, Paulsen took $2,000 so far this campaign cycle and Klobuchar has taken $1,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Ellison and Franken have taken a bit less, at $500 and $250, respectively. In the 2008 cycle, former Sen. Norm Coleman was by far the biggest beneficiary, taking in $19,200. That cycle Rep. Collin Peterson took $5,000, Franken took $2,800 and Rep. Michele Bachmann took $500.