Fact: In talking with people across the 4th Congressional District, many have brought up concerns about campaign finance. The main concern is how the financing of campaigns impacts elections and in particular the eventual decisions made by those who get elected.
Opensecrets.org is a non-partisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Opensecrets.org is a product of the Center for Responsible Politics. The information presented in this edition of "Just the Facts" comes from Opensecrets.org.
Fact: In preparing for the 2009-2010 election cycle, Tom Latham has received 55% ($484,250) of all his campaign contributions from PAC Contributions.
A few of the many examples:
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu PAC actively lobbies against oversight of the Accounting Industry. In September 2002, federal investigators began to probe Deloitte and Touche for its role in a bookkeeping scandal at Adelphia Communications, one of the firm’s biggest clients. Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu has contributed $6,000 to Tom Latham’s 2010 campaign.
Altria, formally Philip Morris is the number one tobacco company in the world. The Altria PAC has contributed $7,500 to Tom Latham’s 2010 campaign. Furthermore, the tobacco industry has contributed $10,000 to Tom Latham’s Leadership PAC.
The American Bankers Association PAC has contributed $9,000 to Tom Latham’s 2010 campaign. While Latham is well known for his association with the seed industry, his family is very much vested in the banking business. Commercial banks have contributed $12,500 to Latham’s Leadership PAC.
Anheuser Busch InBev PAC has contributed $10,000 to Tom Latham’s 2010 campaign. InBev is headquartered in Belgium.
The American Maritime Officers PAC has contributed $10,000 to Latham’s 2010 campaign. The American Maritime Officers lobby for federal subsidies, and they promote drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
A sizeable amount of Tom Latham’s PAC money comes from out-of-state PACS.
As of May 19, 2010, Tom Latham has raised $886,635 for the 2009-2010 election cycle. Of the 45% ($397,245) which has come from individuals, a large portion of this has come from individuals associated with PACS. In one case, $30,956 has come from individual lobbyists.
Fact: In preparing for the 2009-2010 election cycle, Bill Maske has received $2000 or 3% of all his campaign contributions from PAC Contributions.
OpenSecrets.org does not list any specific PAC contributors for Bill Maske.
As of June 30, 2010, Bill Maske has raised $75,984 for the 2009-2010 election cycle. Of the 42% which has come from individuals, the bulk of these contributions have ranged between $25 and $100.
Of the $75,984 raised thus far, 37% ($28,055) has come from self-financing.
JUST THE FACTS
When I initiated this campaign for the United States House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional District, I said that it would be important to educate the public about Tom Latham’s voting record. Unless the public knows how Tom Latham votes, it will be difficult for them to see the distinction between him and me.
So, in my effort to educate the public, I am launching this segment entitled “Just the Facts.” Each week I will post one new fact about Tom Latham and me. These will be just facts, not opinions. I shall leave it to the readers to draw their own opinion.
If you would like to make a comment or have a conversation about any of these facts, please visit my Facebook page.
~ Bill
When I initiated this campaign for the United States House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional District, I said that it would be important to educate the public about Tom Latham’s voting record. Unless the public knows how Tom Latham votes, it will be difficult for them to see the distinction between him and me.
So, in my effort to educate the public, I am launching this segment entitled “Just the Facts.” Each week I will post one new fact about Tom Latham and me. These will be just facts, not opinions. I shall leave it to the readers to draw their own opinion.
If you would like to make a comment or have a conversation about any of these facts, please visit my Facebook page.
~ Bill