I said yesterday that if Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill wanted to go there on "tainted" campaign contributions that I'd be more than happy to engage in the discussion. There's certainly no lack of material for that conversation. I know others will be happy to join with me on that. Here's Sherrie Matula on the subject:

Sherrie Matula, Democratic candidate for State House District 129, called on her opponent John Davis to cancel tonight's scheduled fundraiser with scandal-plagued former White House advisor Karl Rove and return any of his tainted money. Rove, who played a role in the hiring and firing of Justice Department officials for political reasons, was cited for contempt of Congress for blatantly ignoring a Congressional subpoena to testify about his role in the scandal. Rove is also implicated in revealing the identity of covert U.S. intelligence operative Valerie Plame, risking her life and betraying his country.

"We need leaders in Austin who are going to stand up for fair taxes and quality education, rather than a Karl Rove-style partisan agenda," said Sherrie Matula, Democratic candidate for Texas House. "John Davis should tell Karl Rove to testify before Congress and come clean with the American people."

Both the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees have voted to hold Rove in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify about his part in politicizing the Justice Department. Even Senator Arlen Specter - the highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee - voted to hold Karl Rove in contempt of Congress. And most recently, a Bush-appointed federal judge ruled that executive privilege does not exempt Rove from testifying before Congress.

"No government employee is above the American people. It is time for Karl Rove to tell the truth and be held accountable for his actions," added Matula. "Until that happens, John Davis should immediately cancel the fundraiser with Rove and return any money raised."

UPDATE: Kristi Thibaut joins in the fun.

Kristi Thibaut, candidate for Texas State House of Representatives District 133, called on incumbent Jim Murphy to return any funds raised for his campaign from an event this evening featuring GOP politico and former Bush White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove. Rove recently received a contempt of Congress citation for refusing to testify about his role in using the U.S. Department of Justice to advance a partisan political agenda that included the firing of nine U.S. Attorneys.

"I am troubled that my opponent would choose to associate himself with someone like Karl Rove who has been found in contempt of Congress," Thibaut said. "Rather than letting Rove fatten his campaign bank account, Jim Murphy should call on him to do the right thing and testify before Congress."

Both the U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees have voted to hold Rove in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify about his part in politicizing the Justice Department. Even Senator Arlen Specter - the highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee - voted to hold Karl Rove in contempt of Congress. And most recently, a Bush-appointed federal judge ruled that executive privilege does not exempt Rove from testifying before Congress.

"The American people have a right to know the truth about any illegal or unethical activity at the U.S. Justice Department," added Thibaut. "Jim Murphy should make that clear by refusing to campaign with Rove until he finally testifies before Congress and the American people."