Sullivan Receives Major Financial Support From US Chamber, Skips Anchorage Chamber Debate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/27/2014
ANCHORAGE — Dan Sullivan’s campaign continues to receive millions of dollars in support from Outside groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce while refusing to meet with Alaskans or participate in a debate hosted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not represent local Alaska chambers which were “mad as hell” when the DC-based group started running ads supporting Sullivan and attacking Mark Begich in April of this year.
Sullivan’s support from the U.S. Chamber while spurning Alaska chambers is unsurprising as his multimillionaire brother, Frank Sullivan, serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Frank Sullivan has joined Sullivan’s father and mother to contribute nearly $700,000 to Sullivan’s campaign, more than he’s raised from Alaskans.
Here’s what local chambers across the state said about the U.S. Chamber:
Headline: KTUU: “Why Can’t the Chambers of Commerce Just Get Along?” [KTUU, 4/29/14]
U.S. Chamber Ad Attempted To Insulate Sullivan From Carpetbagging Charges. “The Chamber is also airing ads in Alaska, backing former state Attorney General Dan Sullivan over Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and 2010 nominee Joe Miller. In the new ad, a narrator says Democratic Sen. Mark Begich sides with Washington, while Sullivan ‘is always fighting for Alaska’ — an attempt to insulate the candidate from carpetbagging charges.” [The Hill, 4/29/14]
Anchorage Chamber Said It Had “No Affiliation” With U.S. Chamber. “Anchorage Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Halcro immediately issued a statement to say the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a separate organization. ‘We just wanted to notify our members that these ads, which are identified as produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have no affiliation with the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce,’ Halcro said.” [Alaska Public Media, 4/29/14]
Alaska State Chamber Said It Had “Nothing To Do With Those Ads.” “Likewise, the Alaska Chamber of Commerce says it doesn’t endorse federal candidates. The Alaska Chamber, though, IS a member of the U.S. Chamber. President Rachael Petro says the U.S. group notified her of the ad but says the Alaska Chamber had no input. We just have no opinion on this topic and we have nothing to do with those ads,’ Petro said.” [Alaska Public Media, 4/29/14]
Sitka Chamber President: “We Don’t Endorse Candidates.” Reported KCAW in June 2014, “Sitka Chamber president Ptarmica McConnell said her board receives questions like this often, especially when the US Chamber visits. “We don’t endorse candidates,” she said. “Even though we’re members of the US Chamber, we’re our own Chamber.’” [KCAW, 6/25/14]
Sullivan’s Brother Frank Sullivan Was On U.S. Chamber Board Of Directors. “Sullivan’s older brother, Frank Sullivan, who runs the Ohio company that makes Rust-Oleum and other coatings, sits on the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber.” [Alaska Public Media, 4/29/14]
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