McConnell donates Stevens’s contributions to charity

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is donating $10,000 to charity from his campaign war chest that he had previously received from indicted Sen. Ted Stevens.

According to an aide to his campaign, McConnell (R-Ky.) will donate the money to the Wayside Christian Mission.

{mosads}McConnell becomes the highest-ranking senator to distance himself from the Alaska Republican, who faces seven felony charges for concealing more than $250,000 in gifts received from an oil-services company.

Endangered Republican Sens. Gordon Smith (Ore.), Susan Collins (Maine), John Sununu (N.H.) and Elizabeth Dole (N.C.) all plan to return thousands of dollars they received from Stevens this cycle.

Others who appear to have safe seats, like Sen. Pat Roberts (Kan.), also are donating their money, as is Republican Mike Johanns, who is seeking a Nebraska Senate seat.

Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.) has not donated Stevens's money, but told reporters Wednesday he probably would in order to insulate himself from attacks by Democrats.

Aaron Blake contributed to this story.