GOP HEAVY HITTERS BACK NEW PAC
Evansville Courier & Press - By Jennifer Whitson [10/27/2004]

"INDIANAPOLIS - A new Indiana political action committee with national ties has popped up and is running ads against Democrats in key Statehouse races.

The group, called All Children Matter Indiana, was formed by some heavy hitters in Republican circles in late September to support choice in education - ranging from charter schools to tuition vouchers that could be used at private schools. A national group based in Virginia, All Children Matter gave the Indiana branch $50,000 and another $13,000 in individual donations had come in as of Oct. 8.

Of that money, the PAC gave $25,000 to Republican Mitch Daniels, who is running for governor. But some Democrats speculate that since the reporting period closed, the PAC may be spending tens of thousands in local Statehouse races.

Candidates are required by state law to publish any contribution they receive of $1,000 or more after the reporting period close, up to Election Day. But PACs are not and All Children Matter Indiana's ad spending will not be made public until its next campaign finance report is due in January 2005.

Former Lt. Gov. John Mutz, the group's chairman, said the group is active in about 14 Statehouse races. He said the group gives candidates a questionnaire and supports those who hold their views.

"The candidates we support are those who are interested in improving the quality of education," Mutz said.

In the Indiana House District 64 race, the group is running radio ads criticizing incumbent Rep. John Frenz, a Democrat, for his votes on taxes, not on education issues. Mutz said that's because which party controls the House will determine the education agenda too.

"We want to see them win," Mutz said. "For them to win, they may have to appeal to a broader series of issues (than just education)."

The group's treasurer, James Bopp Jr., said both the national and state groups give money to candidates from both parties.

"We have made contributions to Democrats," Bopp said.

Bopp said the group gives money directly to candidates but also chooses to run its own ads in some contests.

"Sometimes we also like to speak in our own voice," Bopp said.

Both Democrats and Republicans said that PACs directly paying for advertising is not new. Luke Messer, who coordinates Republican campaigns, said the new group's spending will be a drop in the bucket compared to a PAC formed by the state's teachers union. Messer said that group is running ads directly against Republicans in several races.

"I'd like to see more transparency," Messer said. "But this kind of behavior ... has been routine. It's one of the things we have to factor in."

But Rep. Dave Crooks, D-Washington, criticized the new group's ads because he said the public doesn't understand what the group behind the ad stands for. He said other PAC-backed ads have been paid for by well-known groups such as Right to Life or the AFL-CIO.

"This group is just out of nowhere," Crooks said. He said he may consider carrying legislation to require PACs to file late contribution reports up to Election Day like candidates must.

But Bopp said his plan is that the newcomer PAC will be just as well-known as the ones Crooks listed.

"They'll need to (get to know us) because we plan to be around for a long time," he said.


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