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Democrat Objects to Outside Groups Targeting Alaska RacesRepublican group is funneling money to Alaska organizations for adsRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - In six days, Alaskans will elect a new Legislature. One Democrat who's up for re-election does not appear to be worried about his own race, but he says he's concerned that other Democratic incumbents are being targeted by Outside corporate interests. A flyer in support of East Anchorage Senate candidate Bob Roses was funded in large part by an organization called the Republican State Leadership Committee -- although you have to look closely to see it. The organization that paid for the flyer, The Accountability Project, had to disclose its top three donors. But those donors, including the Republican committee, apparently don't have to say where they got their money. "They're funneling their money through other groups, and they've convinced APOC that they don't have to list their donors and tell voters who they really are," said Representative Les Gara, D-Anchorage. Gara is not being targeted -- but he's upset that several other Democratic incumbents are. "And they're here to fund Republican campaigns against Democrats. They haven't filed to show who their donors are, and they're not telling donors on TV or are on their flyers, like they should. So I think it's important that the public know that this isn't a local group; it's a group funded by outside corporations, Texas billionaires the Koch brothers." But while Gara describes an onslaught, Republican State Chairman Randy Ruedrich says it's much ado about nothing, with just six days to go before the election. "They're not participating. They’ve become a secondary, tertiary or totally irrelevant organization. And therefore I view it as just way too much complaining about nothing." Ruedrich says the issue of Outside money in Alaska elections might not be pertinent, anyway. "We don't know where they raised funds. And I sure don't have an opportunity to find out because they're an independent organization. But they raise funds wherever they work, so I suspect most of the funds they have were raised here in Alaska." But in this case, there's no way to follow the money. The Accountability Project's most recent APOC report showed it spent $54,000 for fliers against seven Democratic incumbents or in support of their opponents. Late this afternoon, Matt Walter of the Republican State Leadership Committee returned a call from KTVA. Walter said the group raises money in all 50 states but would not specify where the funds come from that are being used in Alaska. |
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Jake said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 9:03 PM
And how much money are outside unions funneling to the Democrats in Alaska????
105340525Spot on said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 9:10 PM
Spot on Jake. Democrats can't get donation in or out of state and are bitter I suppose?
105341186tdw said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 9:58 PM
so, are you going to be upset over your current President accepting donations from Osama Bin Laden with a Pakistani ISP? how about some fair reporting? even better, how about full disclosure about Benghazi?
105342806les gara said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 10:27 PM
Actually - opensecrets.com shows their donations. Vitrually all $24 million they ahve raised comes from outside corporations or outside interests. They are a D.C. based group. $200,000 from Exxon. $700,000 from two outside pharmaceutical corporations; Over $2 million from insurance companies. Ruedrich knows that. And the repoirts show they have spent $100,000 - $54,000 so far with $44,000 more to come between now and election day. And, no, I have taken no money from outside unions. I guess if you think money from outside corporations to meddle oin our elections is OK, that's fine. Les Gara
105343725So said on Thursday, Nov 1 at 6:31 AM
If this is illegal them charge someone, if not why this biased story?
105369671raven33 said on Thursday, Nov 1 at 8:01 AM
Les Gara... Were you equally upset when outside money pushed their way in on our local gay rights proposition? I didn't think so. You sir are a hypocrit!
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