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Friday, October 29, 2010

Arkansas Politics Tracking the stealth money

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Oct 29, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Independent expenditure committees have filed a few reports recently on their campaign activities. These are groups that, in some cases, spend money attacking candidates but, by avoiding so-called "express advocacy," or urging a yes or no vote, are able to dodge around rules that apply to PACs and candidate committees.

So far:

* Koch Industries (yes, the Koch boys) has spent almost $1,500 to prepare a mailing to its many employees in the state (G-P) on political choices.

* The Arkansas Senate Democratic Caucus has reported raising and spending about $25,000 to support Democratic candidates. In a break from typical practice, it disclosed its contributors, including business PACs and individuals.

* Arkansas Conservatives United, run by Republican consultant Clint Reed, reported a $30,000 contribution from American Majority Action, which operates out of a mailbox in Purcellville, Va. It has been associated with the secretive fund-raising operations set up by Karl Rove. It's going to be spending the money in behalf of Republican legislative candidates, but they aren't disclosed, only payments to Reed's firm to do the dirty work.

A number of other independent groups are actively spending in federal races, but their reports aren't on file here.

Tags: independent expenditure committees, Koch family, Arkansas Conservatives United

        
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