WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Conservative-Backed PAC Boosts Third-Party Candidate to Undercut McCann in Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District

KALAMAZOO, MI  — One week out from election day and new reporting from MIRS, National Journal, and Punchbowl News is exposing a conservative-backed effort to steer votes away from Sean McCann and help keep Congressman Bill Huizenga in office.

According to MIRS, Progressive Champions PAC has spent at least $123,738 promoting the Green Party candidate in Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District. Despite its name, the group received more than $1.5 million from Conservative Americans PAC. 

“Republican super PACs are meddling in this election and attempting to trick voters to try to bail out Bill Huizenga,” said Simone Archer-Krauss, McCann for Congress campaign manager. “Michigan voters won’t be fooled: they know Sean is on their side and fighting for change, and these dirty tricks won’t save Huizenga.” 

Here’s what they’re saying:

MIRS: Conservative PAC Funds Green Party Mailers in MI-4 

• Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports show at least $123,738 has been spent on her behalf to date. However, reports also show the Conservative Americans PAC donated more than $1.5 million to Progressive Champions.

• John Clark, a Western Michigan University professor who received one of the Progressive Champions PAC mailers, said promoting minor-party candidates can influence close elections by drawing votes away from a major-party contender.

• “It’s not illegal, but I think it’s helpful for voters when we shine a light on those kinds of activities,” Clark said.

• Clark said in close elections anything can make a big difference. A few votes going from one side to another or drained off by a minor party can make the difference.

• Clark pointed to Ralph Nader in 2000, who ran as a Green Party nominee, but he didn’t have a traditional Green Party political background. The presidential election came down to less than 1,000 votes in Florida. If Nader hadn’t run, some of those voters could have gone to Democrat Al GORE, which could have flipped that close race.

• He said he received a flier in the mail in support of the Green Party candidate against McCann and quickly found it was a Republican-fronted organization.

• “They’re doing so basically trying to trick and manipulate voters, and I’m not especially fond of those practices. Certainly, both parties have done it and probably will continue to do it in the future, but the fact of the matter is, those are not good faith efforts to try and influence the elections,” Clark said.

National Journal: Conservative-Backed ‘Progressive’ Group Spends on Green Party Nom 

• A conservative-backed group called the Progressive Champions PAC has spent more than $123,000 on behalf of Green Party nominee Shafina Barnett, seeking to siphon support from state Sen. Sean McCann (D) in his bid against Rep. [Bill] Huizenga (R).

Punchbowl News: Conservative Group Boosts Third-Party Candidates to Hurt Democratic Challengers

• On the GOP side, Progressive Champions PAC, a conservative group that meddled in the Democratic primary to face Lawler, is back. This time, the group is boosting liberal third-party candidates in order to hurt the Democrats trying to oust Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.).

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