Doolittle Staff Subpoenaed

Rep. John Doolittle’s (R-Calif.) chief of staff Ron Rogers and deputy chief of staff Dan Blankenburg have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as part of a federal investigation into the congressman’s ties with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to the Associated Press.

The political pressure on Doolittle to step down has been growing within his district, but he has remained insistent that he will remain in office. GOP Assemblyman Ted Gaines announced last week he will challenge the 9-term incumbent, joining Iraq war veteran Eric Egland and former Auburn mayor Mike Holmes in the primary field.

Even before the investigation, Doolittle only won 49 percent of the vote against retired Air Force officer Charlie Brown. Brown is challenging Doolittle again, and currently has banked more money than the ethically-tarred incumbent.