Alaska Center's independent expenditure group spends about $27,900 on mailers for 10 legislative candidates

The Alaska Center's independent expenditure group spent nearly $27,900 on direct mail backing 10 candidates for the Alaska Legislature, according to a report filed Sept. 28 with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Independent expenditure groups can spend to support candidates but by law cannot consult or cooperate with them.

The mailers, dated Sept. 28 and produced by The Pivot Group, a Washington, D.C., firm, were credited to eight candidates at about $3,100 each: Ky Holland, Danni Hall, Denny Wells, Katherine Simpler, Brent Johnson, Joy Beth Cottle, Donna Mears and Maxine Dibert. Evelynn Trefon and Mark Smith were each credited about $1,550. Several of the same candidates also draw support from the Putting Alaskans First Committee.

This report lists 20 new contributions totaling about $12,400. One was a $10,000 check from Wendy Robbins, a retiree in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The other 19, totaling about $2,400, came nearly all from Anchorage addresses, and most were $100 or less. The group has raised about $131,700 for the cycle; this report covers only the new contributions.

The report also lists about $4,500 the group owes The Alaska Center for staff time and legal fees.

State rules generally require independent expenditure reports within 10 days of spending. A 24-hour deadline applies to qualifying expenditures made within nine days of the Nov. 3 general election.