Wealthy GOPer criticized for Dem donations (updated)

Wealthy Republican candidate Scott Sipprelle, who is looking to challenge Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), is under fire for donating to Congressional Democrats.
 
His Republican opponent is questioning the Princeton businessman's party loyalty in light of donations Sipprelle made to five Democratic lawmakers.
 
"Last June was the height of the battle for Congressional Republicans [and] Scott Sipprelle made donations to not one, not two, but five separate Democrats," Tom Fitzsimmons, campaign manager for Republican Mike Halfacre, said in a statement.
 
Fitzsimmons singled out donations Sipprelle made in 2009 to Democratic Reps. Allen Boyd, Jr. (Fla.), Charlie Melancon (La.), Heath Shuler (N.C.), Barron Hill (Ind.) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.).
 
In response, Sipprelle's campaign accused Halfacre of breaking the "11th Commandment." 

"Mike Halfacre's desperate, negative attack violates Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment of not speaking ill of another Republican and clearly shows a campaign in distress," Chris Russell, a spokesman for Sipprelle's campaign, said in a statement. "The fact is that Scott has a long history of generously supporting Republicans all across the country and has been proud to do so."

The wealthy investment banker did donate to Republican Chris Christie's successful gubernatorial campaign. He gave $1,000 to Christie in the primary and another $1,000 to his general election effort, New Jersey campaign finance records show. Each of the five Democratic lawmakers received $500.
 
Since 2000, Sipprelle has donated $95,450 to federal candidates and campaign committees, including $51,000 to the Republican National Committee and $5,000 to National Republican Congressional Committee, Federal Election Commission records show.
 
Halfacre, who's mayor of Fair Haven, has made small contributions to Republican committees but hasn't donated to any Democrats.
 
Sipprelle's Democratic contributions have also gotten the attention of conservative bloggers in New Jersey. Save Jersey's Matt Rooney pointed to Sipprelle's $1,000 donation to "arch-liberal" Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in 2002 as one he'll have to answer for. “Base voters are called on to weigh these considerations against a candidate's overall message,” Rooney wrote.
 
Holt easily won reelection to his sixth term in 2008, beating Republican Alan Bateman by 28 points. But in light of Christie's victory last November and Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts on Tuesday, Republicans are cautiously optimistic about their chances.
 
Halfacre had been the lone Republican running until Sipprelle announced his entry into the race on Jan. 13.  Halfacre had close to $50,000 cash-on-hand as of his last available campaign finance report. Sipprelle, meanwhile, launched his campaign with a personal donation of $250,000. He said he plans to self-fund up to $1 million.

This post was updated at 2:35 p.m.