Hovde gave $500 to Democrat Doyle

Associated Press

Updated: Mar 8, 2012 4:36 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde says he does not recall donating $500 to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

Hovde is a hedge fund investor and political newcomer who entered the Senate race on Thursday calling himself a conservative businessman.

The online contribution database run by the independent Wisconsin Democracy Campaign shows Hovde's $500 donation to Doyle in 2005 as Doyle was preparing to run for re-election.

Hovde issued a statement saying he doesn't recall the donation, but if he did he would like a refund. He says Doyle's policies were a disaster for the state.

The database shows Hovde also gave $7,600 to Republican Gov. Scott Walker and $1,000 each to Republican candidates for Senate in last summer's recall elections.

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