Bill Flores called on U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, to return campaign contributions from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., on Monday, in light of allegations by an investigative panel that Rangel violated ethics rules.

Edwards has received a total of $42,000 from Rangel, dating back to 2000. His campaign staff declined to return the money and noted that Edwards hasn’t received a check from Rangel since 2007.

“Chet Edwards has a clear opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to ‘rigorous ethics’ and call for the resignation of Congressman Rangel and return or donate to charity the $42,000 in donations he has received from him,” said Flores, a Bryan Republican running against Edwards, in a statement Monday.

The Chet Edwards campaign sought to connect less-than-savory donations to the NRCC, which has given Bill Flores (left) more than $8,000 this year.

A Flores aide also noted that other Democrats have returned or donated Rangel contributions, including some checks that date to previous election cycles.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, a Washington, D.C.-based committee that works to elect Republicans, echoed Flores in a statement later in the day.

The committee has been trying to make the most of fundraising connections between the embattled Rangel and vulnerable Democrats. Following news of the House panel’s findings, the NRCC began working with GOP candidates in more than 40 House districts to press the point.

Edwards’ camp called Flores’ statement “misleading” for not mentioning the three-year gap since Rangel last contributed to the Edwards campaign.

Media scrutiny of Rangel’s alleged ethics problems intensified in mid-2008.

Edwards’ spokeswoman, Megan Jacobs, also sought to connect less-than-savory donations to the NRCC, which has given Flores more than $8,000 this year.

The NRCC, Jacobs said, has received sizable contributions from now-imprisoned former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who took bribes in exchange for government contracts, and Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned after sexually explicit instant messages he sent congressional pages became public.

“And Mr. Flores also conveniently failed to mention his own ethical violations,” Jacobs said. “In March of 2006, Mr. Flores made an illegal $2,100 contribution to former Congressman Tom DeLay three months after DeLay had been indicted for money laundering.”

The $2,100 contribution exceeded the legal contribution limit for individuals, and federal fundraising records show the money was returned a week after it was given.

Flores’ campaign manager, Matt Mackowiak, said Flores realized his donation was in excess of the limit and took the steps to have his contribution refunded.

Jacobs did not address whether Edwards would push for Rangel to step down.

The New York lawmaker has remained defiant despite the findings, which haven’t been disclosed.

Rangel’s alleged ethics violations will be outlined at a preliminary hearing set for Thursday, and he faces trial before the Ethics Committee in September.

The Washington Post reported that a number of Democrat staffers and strategists have privately called for Rangel to step down, noting the damage a public ethics trial could inflict on party electoral prospects. Only one House Democrat has publicly asked for Rangel to step down.

mshapiro@wacotrib.com

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