Nikki Haley's Democrat rival fined for taking illegal contributions

"The actions by Senator Knotts demonstrate that he is unfit to hold office any longer in South Carolina," said Indian American Conservative Council chairman Dino Teppara.
Knotts was fined USD 25,000 and publicly reprimanded for accepting illegal contributions and violating state campaign finance laws.

"Senator Knotts is part of the good ol' boys club in South Carolina that thumb their noses at the law and he is a throwback to an era long gone in America. We look forward to saying good-bye and good riddance to him in 2012," Teppara said.

Earlier in the day, the Indian-American Republican Political Action Committee held a fund raiser for Haley, who was here at the Capitol Hill to attend a series of fund raising events.

"We are immensely proud of Nikki Haley's success," said Dr. Sambhu Banik, a leading Republican from Maryland and PAC donor. "She embodies the best of a free-market, principled Republican leader, and she is proud of her Indian heritage, making her upcoming election a true American success story."

Impressed by her speech, Ravi Narayan, a Republican leader from Virginia, said, "Nikki is a polished, articulate Republican leader and she has handled herself with grace and dignity despite being under constant political attack. She is a national figure and leader and I hope to see her on a national ticket in the future."

Nina Verghese, a member of the Indian American Conservative Council's board of directors said, "as an Indian American woman, I am so proud that Nikki is so brave in standing up to people like Jake Knotts and refusing to bow to their political attacks. She will make an outstanding Governor and I hope members of the Indian American community will continue to support her."

Suhail A Khan, also a member of the Council's board of directors, said, the people of South Carolina are speaking volumes by their support of Nikki Haley.

"As a volunteer for Bobby Jindal's campaign for Governor in 2003, I saw firsthand how Jindal's leadership was desperately needed to take Louisiana forward. I see a similarity now in South Carolina and know that the people there will make the right choice, by promoting Nikki and retiring throwbacks like Knotts forever," Khan said.

Haley, who all throughout has maintained a double digit lead over her Democratic rival, is been seen by political analysts as the winner of the November elections.