The signs are everywhere — the Sweeney for Congress signs, that is. They’re coming from a Super PAC that has spent handsomely to improve the name recognition for what many view as a dark horse candidate.
In fact, most of the money in the Sweeney race is being spent not by her campaign but by the Super PAC. (Full disclosure: Must Read Alaska has an ad from the group..)
A look through the financial disclosure shows that the group has major funds from Alaska Native Corporations, a generous oil services company owner (Kari and John Ellsworth, Northern Energy Services) and $50,000 from the American Unity PAC, a political action committee that supports Republicans it views as friendly to pro-gay policies.
The LGBTQ funding answers a question some have had: During a Republican forum last week, when asked to define “What is a woman,” Sweeney stood out among the four candidates on stage by only saying “I’m a woman,” before pushing the microphone toward opposing candidate Nick Begich, who talked about genetics, genetic expression, chromosomes, and protecting women’s sports. Sweeney also answered the question about whether she has a problem with transgenders competing in women’s sports: “No,” was her answer.
The Alaskans for T.A.R.A. Super PAC reported $400,000 in receipts and has spent all but $79,000.
That is the biggest but not the only Super PAC working in this race. Nick Begich has the support of Americans for Prosperity Action, a libertarian-grounded group that reported $74,597 in receipts and has spent $55,000 on canvassing and literature supporting the campaign of Nick Begich.
A group called Late Breakers PAC has spent a fraction to oppose Sarah Palin for Congress. Just $4,500 was reported by this group that comes in late in races to support Democrat candidates and oppose Republican ones.
Political action committees were required to file reports by Friday with the Federal Elections Commission.
