2014 Campaign Ads Already Airing

Outside petroleum industry group promoting Alaska Senator Mark Begich

Tools

By Lacie Grosvold

Story Created: Nov 15, 2012 at 7:29 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 15, 2012 at 7:29 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The 2012 election is barely over, but already political ads are popping up on Alaskans' televisions. It's an ad showing U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) as a champion of oil and gas jobs.

But Begich's offices and Anchorage and Washington D. C. say they've got nothing to do with it. Susanne Fleek, Begich's Anchorage spokesperson, says there was "no coordination. We had nothing to do with it." Begich is up for reelection in 2014, and his seat has been identified as vulnerable to a pick-up by the GOP.

The ads were paid for by American Petroleum Institute. It's a trade organization representing the oil and gas industry. And Begich isn't the only senator they've put their money behind. On its website, it has ads for six U.S. Democratic senators that it says promote legislation that promotes jobs. Each ad is almost identical to the next. Washington D. C. based A.P.I. didn't respond to a request for an interview, but it did send a statement. It read, "Targeted Taxes on Oil and Gas are the wrong approach for what's needed to rebuild our economy... more ennergy developkent produces more jobs, revenue and energy."

Outside groups contributed heavily last election in states that could have influenced the senate majority. States like Montana saw an influx of outside money crowding their airwaves for the senatorial race. Fleek said, "I don't think that Alaska will be any different. Alaskans should buckle in and and brace themselves because there will be a lot of outside advertising."

Advertising for what could be the start of yet another very long campaign season.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

James White said on Saturday, Nov 17 at 12:34 PM

Don't turn a blind eye on Mr. Begich. Remember what he did to Anchorage and the late Senator Stevens. It is hard to accept that Mr. Begich does not have some connection to the add. His trade mark it right up the ally when it comes to saying one thing and doing another.

106836022
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Earl Richards said on Friday, Nov 16 at 3:17 AM

A decrease in taxes will not increase oil production, only an increase in oil demand will increase oil production. Big Oil does not create jobs, it is the medium and small businesses that create jobs. The only jobs created by the oil industry are clean-up jobs after oil spills and deep-water, blow-outs and pump-handler jobs.

106728306
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.