Koch Brothers Group Aiding Steve Glazer Campaign for State Senate

A new TV ad went up on cable television attacking Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla from a group that few in California has ever heard of before: the perversely named “Independent Women’s Voice.”

According to sourcewatch.org, “Although the Independent Women’s Voice calls itself “nonpartisan,” the group has numerous ties to the billionaires Charles Koch and David Koch, arguably two of the most influential financiers of anti-regulation and right-wing ideology in the United States.”

Its website notes “IWV has been proud to be in the forefront of the battle against a government takeover of health care” and features sections on “Alarmism” about food safety, chemicals, and child safety. It rants against Styrofoam bans, “killer swings” for children, and anti-fracking efforts.

As the East Bay Citizen reports today, “According to OpenSecrets, an online database for tracking the nexus between special interests money and candidates, Independent Women’s Voice spent more than $586,000 to support Republican last year, but also spent over $209,000 against incumbent Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, a very conservative Republican who staved off an insurgent primary challenger who charged him with not being conservative enough and out-of-touch with voters.”

So why are the Koch Brothers trying to come to Steve Glazer’s rescue? As if $1.6 million from LA developer Bill Bloomfield, $1.1 million from JobsPAC, and more than $1.4 million from corporate education proponents weren’t enough?

That’s a good question. Maybe Steve Glazer can answer it – or denounce the special interests that are working OT to get him elected with a straight face.

(Steven Maviglio is a consultant to Working Families Against Glazer)