Democrat Objects to Outside Groups Targeting Alaska Races

Republican group is funneling money to Alaska organizations for ads

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Oct 31, 2012 at 5:30 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 31, 2012 at 6:08 PM AKDT

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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