U.S. Chamber Doesn't Represent Maine Businesses

  • Posted on: 26 July 2012
  • By: admin

Attack Ads in Senate Race Just the Beginning

The Maine Small Business Coalition today objected to the first attack ads launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a Maine 2012 election campaign.

"The U.S. Chamber does not speak for Maine businesses and they don't care about our economy," said Maine Small Business Coalition director Kevin Simowitz. "The Chamber is an interest group for large out-of-state and multinational corporations, especially health insurance companies."

The health insurance industry funneled more than $100 million dollars through the Chamber in order to fight health care reform in 2010 (1) and they've already contributed millions for attack ads in 2012. Just last month, health insurance giant Aetna accidentally disclosed what was supposed to be a secret $4.03 million contribution to the Chamber's political campaigns.(2)

"These attacks won't stop with the U.S. Senate race. They're going to spend millions in Maine on attack ads at every level, right down to State Representative races," said Simowitz. "It's important that the public know that this group is a front for big insurance. They have their own agenda and don't represent the interests of Maine's small businesses."