FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/30/2014
ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s Chambers of Commerce are refusing to endorse Dan Sullivan after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce debuted a new ad attacking Mark Begich without consulting local groups.
Andrew Halcro, President of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, is “mad as hell” about the actions of the U.S. Chamber and called the ad buy “more Outside money that has no place in Alaska politics.” The Anchorage Chamber is known as “Alaska’s largest business organization.”
Rachael Petro, President of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, said her organization had “nothing to do with those ads” and were given no opportunity to weigh in on the ad or its content — The Alaska Chamber supported expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
“This is another disingenuous attempt from an Outside group to mislead Alaskans. The U.S. Chamber was told not to run this ad, but the group believes Dan Sullivan’s backroom family connections are more important than the voices of Alaskans,” said Max Croes, Alaskans for Begich Communications Director.
Sullivan’s Ohio-based brother Frank Sullivan serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. No Alaskans serve on the board.
The Outside attack ad touches an ironic note after The Hill reports the ad is “an attempt to insulate the candidate from carpetbagging charges.”
Sullivan’s candidacy has been entirely dependent on Outside groups:
- Sullivan reported less than 200 Alaskans on his most recent FEC fundraising report.
- Sullivan’s ad campaign is based around an endorsement from the DC-based Club for Growth, which has raised and spent over $1 million in attempts to defeat Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young.
- Sullivan’s brother, father and former RPM business associate are responsible for 80% of the funds at his super PAC.
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