Mark Warner Struggles To Answer Allegations of Quid Pro Quo for Judgeship

Mark Warner Struggles to Answer Allegations of Quid Pro Quo for Judgeship (Washington Free Beacon)

Sen. Mark Warner (D., Va.) floundered during a debate Monday night when asked about allegations that he offered a judgeship position to the daughter of Virginia State Senator Phillip Puckett to convince Puckett to remain in the Senate.

“I’ve been friends with Phillip Puckett and his family for 20 years,” Warner said. “And when I reached out to his son before I talked to Phillip to explore possible options going forward, I didn’t offer anyone any job, nor would I offer any job. And that is the fact.”

Puckett, a Democrat, resigned from the Virginia State Senate on June 6, sparking a federal investigation into his surprise exit. Three days prior, Warner allegedly called Puckett’s son, Joseph Puckett, to discuss a federal judgeship for his sister, Martha Puckett Ketron, according to Joseph Puckett’s attorney.