New Chamber-affiliated PAC will raise corporate contributions for lege races

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce officials have launched a new political action committee that is seeking corporate donations to influence state legislative races.

The PAC is called Pro Jobs Majority. It’s chairman is Bill Blazar who is the Chamber’s senior vice president for public affairs and business development.

Corporations have been able to spend their money on influencing elections since the U.S. Supreme Court in January handed down the Citizens United decision that struck down as unconstitutional bans on corporate spending in elections.

Historically, the Chamber has raised money for legislative races through individual donations to its Leadership Fund.

“Like the Leadership Fund, (Pro Jobs Majority) focuses on legislative races in the Minnesota House and Senate. But unlike the Leadership Fund this is setup so businesses that want to make contributions to legislative races can do that whereas the PAC is all individuals,” Blazar said.

Pro Jobs Majority was registered last Thursday with the Minnesota Campaign and Public Disclosure Board. Blazar said the type of spending the PAC does will depend on how much is raised.

Since the Citizens United decision, a couple Minnesota PACs have been created that accept corporate donations including MN Forward and Freedom Club.

Blazar said Pro Jobs Majority will be “brutally practical” in identifying races with pro-jobs candidates to support.