Undisclosed donors once again threaten transparency

DES MOINES – After spending millions on misleading attack ads against Iowa Democrats in 2010, the American Future Fund (AFF) has wasted no time in endorsing Steve King and Tom Latham in their reelection bids.

“Once again, shady special interest groups are going to try and buy the democratic process,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky.

In a statement released this morning, the AFF said “We are prepared to give them our full support and go the distance to defend them from attacks to ensure their victory.” As a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, the AFF is able to raise unlimited amounts from donors across the globe, without disclosing who those donors are.

The AFF joins the Club for Growth, whose 527 and 501(c)(4) organizations have also raised and spent millions against candidates. On Wednesday, the Club for Growth released a statement saying “The people of Iowa are lucky to have [Steve King] representing them in Congress.”

“If Congressmen King and Latham were serious about engaging voters in an honest discussion about Iowa’s future, they would reject the support of these groups and the millions in undisclosed donations that they bring,” added Dvorsky. “As veteran campaigners, King and Latham should be able to present their vision to Iowans without the aid of misleading attack ads bankrolled by unaccountable special interests.”