DCCC adds independent Bill Hill to Red to Blue program; FEC reports no national party contributions

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added independent candidate Bill Hill to its Red to Blue program Sept. 15, giving his Alaska U.S. House campaign access to national Democratic staff, training and fundraising support.

The DCCC announcement does not itself represent a contribution to Hill. His Federal Election Commission filings report no contributions from national party committees through July 29, although they do show $62,050 from other political committees and about $1.26 million from individuals.

Outside spending is separate from campaign money. Wheel Dog PAC has reported about $2.19 million in independent expenditures supporting Hill. Such spending may not be coordinated with his campaign. Outside groups have reported about $544,000 supporting Republican incumbent Nick Begich.

Hill is identified as independent in his federal filings and as Nonpartisan on Alaska's certified ballot. The ballot also lists Begich as a registered Republican, Eric Hafner as a registered Democrat and Jim McDermott as a registered Libertarian.

The DCCC's decision shows national Democratic organizational support for Hill. It does not establish that Hill has accepted party money or that the committee controls his campaign. The announcement and filings reviewed for this article contain no response from Begich.