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Local candidate campaigning is getting fierce with less than three days until the state election. Democrats and Republicans are upset about how each opposing party is receiving funding. It all has to do with political action committees, which are also know as "Super PAC's."
“Our voters aren't being told about who the money is coming from in the ads and the fliers. So people should know,” said Anchorage Democratic incumbent Les Gara.
Democratic incumbent Gara said there's currently a slew of negative flyers against Democrats and positive ones for Republicans. He said all of them are being financed by corporations outside of Alaska. Some of these outside donors are allegedly giving money to a group known as the Republican State Leadership Committee.
“It sounds like a local group but it’s based in D.C. and its money is Exxon money and Pfizer money,” said Gara.
Alaska Republican’s party Chairman Randy Ruedrich doesn't think it's fair for Democrats to point the finger at them. He said anyone and everyone should have the right to donate money if they want.
“It's totally legal and the Democrats are doing the very same thing because the tremendous amount of union money is flowing in from clearly undisclosed sources," said Ruedrich.
A 2010 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declared that the government may not prohibit unions and corporations from making independent expenditure for political purposes.
“I think the issue should be very simple, anyone should be allowed to contribute provided they disclose," said Ruedrich, "I hope we get to see state laws move in that direction because this creates more noise than it creates value. “
“I think the candidates should be honest and say, 'Yeah, it’s outside corporate money that’s supporting me in this election,'” said Gara.
Financial disclosure: it's one thing both sides can agree on. The best advice for undecided voters is, if you find a campaign flier in your mailbox read the fine print to see who is backing it.
If it's local, corporate or union then it is up to you to decide how it will affect your vote.
Contact Mallory Peebles