Congressman Walter Jones’s challenger in the 3rd district, Scott Dacey, is making a big deal out of Jones’s lengthy tenure in DC and playing up his o wn service to the local area. So, if you’re planning on taking that route, WHY on earth would one of your first post-announcement moves be to hit up a bunch of DC lobbyists for cash?

Here’s an email:

Okay. Let’s look at a few of the recipients.

Dan Mahoney of the US Chamber. (He runs something for them called The Native American Enterprise Institute.) The VERY FIRST ONE isof the US Chamber. (He runs something for them called The Native American Enterprise Institute.)

Aurene Martin is a lobbyist and former assistant secretary of Indian Affairs.

Dacey sent this to Mark Cruz at an official US House email account. (If that’s not illegal, it’s certainly on thin ethical ice. Sending a solicitation for a political donation to an official congressional email account?) Cruz is chief of staff to congressman Todd Rokita, and formerly worked on the Obama White House’s Initiative on American Indians.

Edward Ayoob is a lobbyist who held a number of jobs on the staff of US senator Harry Reid (D-NV). He’s also on the Board of Governors of the Arab American Institute.

Mary Pavel is a lobbyist and former director & chief council for the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Her political patrons were Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT).

John Harte is a lobbyist who once was policy director for Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan (ND). Harte was also once an aide to Clinton Attorney General Janet Reno.

Jason Giles is the executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Veronica Waters is Legislative Director of the Indian Gaming Commission.

Emily Sullivan is a lobbyist who formerly served as an aide to US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).