Runyan closing in on Adler: Because of his politics or help from Super PACs?

Super “PACs” are campaign groups who are known for their ability to spend millions of dollars in elections, without revealing the source of their funding, in order to influence the outcome of the election and oppose those who do not agree with their beliefs or views. The non-profit American-Future Fund (AFF), one of many super PACs, is known for their numerous commercials and television ads attacking Democrats in different congressional races. With $25 million left to spend before Election Day, the AFF has chosen to intervene in the race between John Adler and Jon Runyan because of their different views on major issues such as healthcare, spending, and how to tackle the economy and the issue of unemployment.

According to an article by Cynthia Burton of the Philadelphia Inquirer,

“Corporations, unions, and other special-interest groups may now spend unlimited amounts on political ads. They can contribute to certain types of nonprofits, such as the AFF, without fear of being unmasked. Republicans in the Senate blocked a bill Thursday that would have required the disclosure of donors to independent expenditure groups.”

In terms of campaign spending, Adler has a recorded amount of money four times that of Runyan. Although the AFF has not publicly and exclusively taken Runyan’s side in the campaign, it is known that they have spent $170,000 in ads opposing Adler and they are far from finished. These ads portray Adler as “the liberal puppet of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” they accuse him of not being consistent with his plans for healthcare and the Obama plan.

Also, the blocked bill by the Senate ironically works in Runyan’s favor. Adler may never know who is funding the commercials or ads targeting his campaign and policies. Runyan’s campaign has not yet commented on any of the AFF’s ads against Adler, nor have they mentioned whether or not they believe donors to special interest groups or PACs should be revealed. Adler, however, has made his stance on the situation very clear. In a statement concerning the situation, Adler stated that “We cannot tolerate special interests flooding the airwaves with anonymous attack ads.” Personally, I agree with Adler. I believe that people within large campaign or interest groups, such as the AFF, who are able to greatly impact the election through their monetary involvement, should be revealed. 

In a poll taken this week, Adler finished with 42% to Runyan’s 39%, the margin of error being only plus or minus 4.9%! With a race this close, and special interest groups like the AFF getting involved, I am excited to see what each candidate brings to the table next!