Datwyler-Linked PACs Spend $7.5 Million Targeting GOP Senators in Alaska and Ohio
Updated
Updated · CNN · Oct 31
Datwyler-Linked PACs Spend $7.5 Million Targeting GOP Senators in Alaska and Ohio
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Oct 31
Summary
$7.5 million-plus in late spending by PACs tied to Wisconsin operative Thomas Datwyler has attacked Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Jon Husted while boosting little-known conservative challengers in two pivotal Senate races.
The groups appear to be exploiting a federal disclosure loophole: because they began spending in the final two weeks, their donors will not be revealed until after Election Day.
In Alaska, two Datwyler-linked PACs have spent more than $3.75 million backing Gerald Heikes and urging voters not to rank Sullivan, while a separate DOJ-scrutinized allegation already hangs over efforts to confuse voters in the race.
In Ohio, another Datwyler-linked PAC has spent more than $3.8 million promoting libertarian William Redpath, who told CNN he had never met Datwyler and did not know who was funding the ads.
The spending revives a playbook used in Alaska's August primary, when a Datwyler-affiliated PAC later disclosed funding from a liberal dark-money group, adding to scrutiny of an operative with a long record of campaign-finance complaints and fines.