State Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus) is being blasted for taking $9,500 in campaign contributions from oil-company PACs by 15th Congressional District opponent Mary Jo Kilroy's (D-Columbus) campaign today.

Kilroy's campaign noted that Stivers' financial disclosure report shows he received $2,500 from Halliburton PAC, $2,000 from ExxonMobil's PAC and $5,000 from the Independent Petroleum Association of America Wildcatters Fund.

The IPAA said on its website that the fund "enables independent oil and gas producers to play a vital role in achieving and maintaining a pro-business, pro-oil and gas Congress."  

Kilroy communications director Brad Bauman said Stivers is in the pocket of oil companies and as a result Stivers' energy plan to reduce gasoline prices won't help consumers.

"How is it possible that barely a month ago, banking lobbyist Steve Stivers released a gas and energy plan claiming it will bring down gas prices and today takes money from a group who's stated goal is to work against the interests of our families? I don't think there is any question anymore as to whose interests Stivers would put first and they aren't yours," Bauman said in a statement.

Bauman said Stivers is two-faced, telling voters one thing and contributors another.

"As a corporate lobbyist, Steve Stivers is trained to tell you what you want to hear but then he goes behind your back and makes deals with people who will keep making you pay $4 a gallon, I think we've had enough of that in Washington," Bauman said.

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