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{{#badges: Front groups}}
'''Americans for Job Security''' (AJS) is a registered trade group that describes itself as "independent, bi-partisan, pro-business issue advocacy organization,"<ref name="about">Americans for Job Security, [http://www.savejobs.org/aboutajs.php About], organizational website. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref> but which appears to engage mainly in election-related activities.<ref name="PRWatch"/> AJS has been described by the Center for Responsive Politics as "pro-Republican", "pro-business", and "established to directly counter labor's influence".<ref name="open">[http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527events.asp?orgid=24 "Americans for Job Security, 2004 Election Cycle]", ''Open Secrets.org'', undated, accessed October 2007.</ref>
In 2012, AJS was involved in a dark money shell game related to two California ballot initiatives; two other groups involved in the scheme were found to have engaged in campaign money laundering, paying $1 million in fines.<ref name="MIKE"/>
According to a many sources, AJS has long been involved in dark money political spending. "You could say Americans for Job Security has been keeping donors anonymous since before it was cool," Talking Points Memo wrote in December 2012.<ref name="TPM">Eric Lach, [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/americans_for_job_security_california.php/ "The Dark Money Forerunner of Secret California Millions"], ''Talking Points Memo'', December 3, 2012</ref>
{{Template:KochConnection}}
In a 2007 FEC Complaint, [[Public Citizen]] wrote that AJS was a "sham [[front group]] that would be better called Corporations Influencing Elections ... masquerading as a non-profit to conceal its funders and the scope of its [[electioneering communications|electioneering activities]],"<ref>[http://www.citizen.org/documents/AJS%20Evidentiary%20File.pdf Evidentiary file for Americans for Job Security electioneering,] Center for Responsive Politics, April 2007. 41-page pdf.</ref> The Federal Elections Commission found "reason to believe" AJS had violated election law by not registering as a political committee-- which would have required more disclosure-- but the FEC's Republican commissioners blocked any action against the group.<ref name="MIKE"/>
The Center for Responsive Politics also reported that in 1998, AJS "pledged to raise and spend $100 million on issue ads over the next five years."<ref>Center for Responsive Politics, [http://www.opensecrets.org/pubs/whospay/loophole.htm "Issue Ads: Loophole of the 2000s?"] ''OpenSecrets.org'', undated.</ref>
==Ties to the Koch Brothers==
While AJS has refused to disclose the sources of its funding, it received $4.8 million in 2010 from the [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]] (CPPR; now known as American Encore), which has close ties to the [[Koch brothers]] and their political network.<ref name="group funneled"/>
==Tax-exempt status==
AJS is officially registered as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit "trade association," meaning that the organization is designed to promote the “common business interests” of its members.<ref name="about"/> but does not appear to advance the interests of any particular industry or trade. Additionally, "it is not prohibited from intervening in political campaigns so long as political campaign intervention is not its primary activity." The group claims that as a 501(c)(6) "trade association," it raises funds not through donations earmarked for political ads, but from voluntary "membership dues," which the group's leaders decide on their own how to disburse<ref name="2010 990"/> -- allowing it to hide its donors by claiming none of the donations were made for the purpose of funding its election-related activities. However, the ''Washington Post'' reported in 2010 that AJS spends "the vast majority of its budget on television and radio ads before elections.<ref>T. W. Farnam, "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/21/AR2010082102290.html?hpid=topnews Ruling sets up IRS as overseer of groups' gifts to campaigns]," ''Washington Post'', August 22, 2012. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
According to ''[[Public Citizen]]'', if the advertising constitutes campaign intervention ([[electioneering communications|electioneering]]), the activity would be considered AJS's primary activity, resulting in loss of tax-exempt status and imposition of taxes under [[527 committee|Section 527(f)]]."<ref>Jack Siegel, [http://charitygovernance.blogs.com/charity_governance/2007/04/new_fundraising.html "New Fundraising Opportunity for Charities: Turn Your Opponents in to the IRS and Collect the Bounty,"] Charity Governance Consulting LLC (Blog), April 12, 2007.</ref>
On April 11, 2007, ''Public Citizen'' wrote to the [[IRS]] and [[FEC]], complaining that the group should lose its non-profit status, due to its "electioneering."
<ref>Public Citizen, "[http://www.citizen.org/congress/campaign/special_interest/articles.cfm?ID=16408 Stop AFC: Non-Profit Front Group Violates Tax Status, Electioneering Laws]," April 11, 2007.</ref> The Federal Elections Commission found "reason to believe" AJS had violated election law by not registering as a political committee-- which would have required more disclosure-- but the FEC's Republican commissioners blocked any action against the group.<ref name="MIKE"/>
==Election Activities==
===Election Cycle 2014===
As of June 2014, AJS had not reported any independent expenditures for the 2014 election.<ref>Center for Responsive Politics, [http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000024044 Americans for Job Security], election cycle 2014 summary, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
=== 2012 Dark Money Shell Game to Influence Anti-Union Ballot Measure ===
In 2012, AJS was involved in a campaign money laundering scheme which was investigated by the California Attorney General and California's Fair Political Practices Commission, resulting in record fines.
On November 5th, 2012, the day before the election, an enforcement action by California's elections board revealed that Americans for Job Security had provided $11 million to a California political committee that spent that same amount supporting California Proposition 32, a piece of anti-union legislation that sought to eliminate the deduction of dues from a worker's payroll. <ref> Lagos, Marissa [http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/True-source-of-11M-contribution-revealed-4009565.php The Source of $11 Million Contribution Revealed] Accessed November 5th, 2012</ref> It was further made clear that AJS had initially received the $11 million it gave to the political committee from another dark money non-profit group, the [[Center to Protect Patient Rights]], implicating it as a part of a campaign money laundering shell game.<ref name= "PRWatch">Brendan Fischer, [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/11/11845/california-elections-board-peels-back-layer-dark-money-onion-finds-more-onion/ "California Elections Board Peels Back Layer of Dark Money Onion, Finds More Onion"], "PR Watch", November 6, 2012. </ref>
In a settlement with California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the Fair Political Practices Commission, the CPPR and ARL agreed to pay a $1 million fine, and AJS and SBAC were required to turn over the $15 million in contributions they received.<ref>Nicholas Confessore, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/25/us/politics/group-linked-to-kochs-admits-to-campaign-finance-violations.html Group Linked to Kochs Admits to Campaign Finance Violations]," New York Times, October 24, 2013.</ref> According to the press release from the Fair Political Practices Commission, "Under California law, the failure to disclose this initially was campaign money laundering. At $11 million, this is the largest contribution ever disclosed as campaign money laundering in California history."<ref>California Fair Political Practices Commission, "[http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.php?id=346 Americans for Responsible Leadership Admits Campaign Money Laundering, Discloses $11 Million Donor]," organization website, accessed April 29, 2014.</ref>
In 2011, AJS launched a coordinated effort against Big Labor "Infesting the Workplace". AJS activities included placing a large inflatable rat outside of the National Labor Relations Board headquarters, and buying ads before, during, and after the October 11th Republican primary debate in New Hampshire <ref> Alex Burns: [Americans for Job Security to Slam "Greedy Union Bosses" in Debate http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65610.html], Politico, 10/11/11. Accessed August 6th, 2012. </ref> The campaign also included a site, http://www.richietherat.com, but site activity stopped by the end of the year.
===Election Cycle 2012===
In 2012, Americans for Job Security spent [http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000024044 $15.8 million] towards conservative candidates backing a "pro-growth, pro-jobs" agenda. The majority of these contributions went towards attacking Democrats.
{{#evp:youtube|xQH6DqUlqa4|"Run"|left|200}}
The group's first buy in 2012 was an attack ad aimed at influencing the Wisconsin Senate Primary. On August 2nd, Americans for Job Security made a $462,000 dollar ad buy <ref> Kevin Brennan: [http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/08/americans-for-j-1.php Americans for Job Security hits Hovde in Wisconsin] August 2nd, 2012. Accessed August 6th, 2012 </ref> attacking Eric Hovde, a candidate opposing Tommy Thompson and Mark Neumann. The Ad, entitled [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amgsiOCX6Sc Hovde Stimulus], accuses Hovde of supporting the 2009 Stimulus, and taking stimulus money through ePlus, one of the companies he invested in. Hovde claims that the ad was untrue, and that his company never accepted stimulus money, and that AJS was illegally coordinating with the Thompson campaign. Americans for Job Security once did work for Persuasion Partners, a PR firm which acted as a consultant for the Thompson campaign <ref> Patrick Marley: [http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/hovde-threatens-lawsuit-over-ad-accusing-him-taking-stimulus-money-6g6bvv5-164913346.html Hovde Threatens Lawsuit over Ad accusing him of taking stimulus money] Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/3/2012. Accessed August 6th, 2012. </ref>
On September 27th, the coalition spent $8.1 Million dollars attacking incumbent President [[Barack Obama]] with an ad buy targeting Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. The ad constituted their first spending in the 2012 race and attacks Obama for slow job growth and failing to turn the economy around. The ad concludes that "the future is getting worse under Obama." <ref> Alexander Burns: [http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/09/americans-for-job-security-joins-presidential-air-136681.html Americans For Prosperity Joins 2012 Presidential Air War], Politico, September 26th, 2012 </ref>
==History==
In the late 1990s, AJS spun off from a group called The Coalition: Americans Working for Real Change, a group that had been formed by the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]] to counteract the extensive soft money spending by the [[AFL-CIO]] starting in the 1996 elections.<ref>Public Citizen, [http://www.stealthpacs.org/profile.cfm?org_id=41 Americans for Job Security], organization profile. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
It is alleged that AJS was founded by [[Marc F. Racicot]] from the [[American Insurance Association]] and the American Forest and Paper Association, each of whom gave a $1 million donation to the group.<ref name="TPM"></ref>. Racicot headed [[George W. Bush]]'s [[Bush-Cheney '04 Inc.|2004 re-election campaign]] and is a former [[Republican National Committee]] chairman.<ref name="WWT">[http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2006/10/controversial-americans-for-job.html "Controversial Americans For Job Security President Placed 'She' Anti-Holland Commercials; Document Shows He's Advertising Agency 'Partner',"] ''The McCarville Report'' Online, October 8, 2006.</ref> In June 2005, Racicot became the new head of the American Insurance Association, which "represents 435 major property and casualty insurance companies."<ref>Al Kamen, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/12/AR2005061201239_2.html "Premium Pay,"] ''Washington Post'', June 12, 2005.</ref>
===Election cycle 2010===
====Zach Space====
AJS launched a television ad criticizing [[Zack Space]] (D-OH) for "supporting [[Nancy Pelosi]]'s liberal agenda." It accuses the congressman of voting for higher energy taxes which would "kill Ohio jobs."[http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/features/your_voice/videos/wsyx_vid_97.shtml] In response, Space denied that he is a clone of Speaker Pelosi, and has "the gravitas to stand up to his party leadership."[http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/09/pro-business_group_to_run_tele.html]
====Jane Norton====
In the Republican primary race for Colorado Senate, AJS released an ad attacking Jane Norton, the former Colorado Lieutenant Governor. The ad argued that Norton supported "the largest tax hike in Colorado history" and oversaw "a state bureaucracy that grew by $43 million in just three years." Politifact.com checked the veracity of both these claims. It revealed that the tax hike referred to in the ad was not a tax increase, but a repeal of a rebate that was approved by the voters of Colorado in a referendum, which Norton also supported. Furthermore, the increase in state revenues it created was not the largest in Colorado history, but only one of the largest in recent history.[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/jul/26/americans-job-security/jane-norton-supported-referendum-c-so-did-voters/] With regard to the growth of bureaucracy, AJS' ad left out the fact that the $43 million increase was due to an influx of federal funds. State tax revenues actually deceased during Norton's tenure as Lieutenant Governor.[http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/jul/26/americans-job-security/jane-nortons-public-health-and-environment-departm/]
====Bill Halter====
AJS spent roughly $1.5 million to defeat Arkansas Senate candidate [[Bill Halter]].[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/05/shadowy_outside_group_spending.html] One of their ads was subjected to complaints of racism. The ad depicts Indians thanking Bill Halter for outsourcing jobs from America to Bangalore, in reference to his time spent on the board of WebMethods. Halter's opponent, Senator Blanche Lincoln, decried the ads and supported their removal from the airwaves. But Lincoln's campaign distributed materials with a picture of the Taj Mahal and a charge that Halter supported outsourcing. Halter responded to the ads by calling it "petty politics" and filed a complaint against AJS with the [[Federal Elections Commission.]][http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/13/group-sends-racially-ting_n_575740.html] The [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] also stated that WebMethod's opening of a development center in India had no effect on job loss in the United States.[http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/03/bill-halter-is-target-of-ad-blitz-in-arkansas-democrats-senate/]
===Election Cycle 2006===
In an attempt to influence [[U.S. congressional elections in 2006|2006 elections]], the [[Campaign Finance Institute]] reports the following for AJS:<ref>[http://www.cfinst.org/interest_groups/nonprofits06_table3.aspx "Soft Money in the 2006 Election and the Outlook for 2008: The Changing Nonprofits Landscape. Table 3: 501(c) Organizations Attempting to Influence 2006 Congressional Elections. Based on Reported IRS or FEC-defined Campaign Activities (Non-Comprehensive Listing),] Campaign Finance Institute, 2006.</ref>
#"Ran an estimated $1.5 million in ads on behalf of Republican [[Rick Santorum]] in Pennsylvania Senate race, praising his past votes for anti-tax stance and Social Security initiative."
#"Sponsored [[U.S. congressional elections in 2006: Robo Calls|prerecorded phone calls]] in an Oklahoma House Republican primary that criticized two of the six candidates."<ref>Marie Price, [http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=5219045 "Campaign hijinks,"] ''The Journal Record'' (Oklahoma City, Okla.), July 31, 2006.</ref>
#"Ran ads in two House races in Indiana and Minnesota supportive of Republican candidates."
====Santorum and ASJ used same ad footage====
In December 2005, Sen. Rick Santorum ran an interne that used the same ad footage as that in an ad "placed on TV stations" by Americans for Job Security. Blogger mantooth of ''The Square Circuit'' Blog commented that "this wouldn't be news, of course, if it were not borderline unethical. It seems clear that two ads--one for Santorum directly, and one in support of Santorum--that used EXACTLY THE SAME FOOTAGE were probably cooked up by the same people. But no! say the parties. Just a fantastic coincidence."<ref name="mantooth">mantooth, [http://squarecircuit.blogspot.com/2005/12/santorums-office-lying.html "Santorum's office lying?"] ''The Square Circuit'' Blogspot, December 2, 2005.</ref>
"According to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ''NEWS-LEADER'', 'Michael Dubke, president of the Republican-leaning third-party group, and John Brabender, Santorum's media consultant, each denied that the two sides had collaborated in any way. They each said it was a coincidence they used the same stock footage in their respective ads'," mantooth related.<ref name="mantooth"/>
====Supporting Santorum====
"Santorum is using every trick he learned as the Senate liaison to [[K Street Project|K Street lobbyists]] to game the system and have the special interests pay for his reelection campaign," Larry Smar with the [[Bob Casey]] campaign wrote in July 2006.<ref name="smar">Larry Smar, [http://origin.www.bobcasey.com/blog/view/?id=62 "Special Interests Rescue Santorum with Ad,"] BobCasey.com, July 11, 2006.</ref>.
AJS had launched its "fifth ad in support of Santorum's candidacy," spending "$2 million for Santorum in addition to $1.5 million from the Santorum campaign."<ref name="smar"/>
"The press has reported that AJS has been backed by the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry," both of which "are big Santorum donors and Santorum consistently votes with the insurance and pharmaceutical industries over seniors and patients," Smar wrote.<ref name="smar"/>
By the end of August 2006, "Americans for Job Security and the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]] [had] spent close to $1.3 million on television ads combined supporting Santorum’s record on taxes, Social Security, and Medicare".<ref>[http://www.tns-mi.com/news/08222006.htm "2006 Candidate Ad Spending up 150 Percent From Last Mid-terms; Spending Could Surpass Record 2004 Levels. Battle for House and Senate Majority Fueling Record Ad Spending,"] ''tns media intelligence'', August 22, 2006.</ref>
On December 1, 2005, the ''Philadelphia Daily News'' asked "Who owns you, Senator?", commenting "Santorum doesn't seem too concerned about who is behind Americans for Job Security, a Virginia-based anti-tax group that refuses to identify contributors. He declined to tell one of our reporters whether his financial backers should step out of the shadows. How discreet.
"If supporters of Americans for Job Security want to step into our state and influence our elections - fine. Just have the guts to tell Pennsylvania voters your name as you send your checks.
"As for Sen. Santorum, he should remember he owes the voters of this state a lot more than he owes some slippery little [[front group]]."<ref>[http://www.bobcasey.com/news/article/view/?id=75 "Who Owns You, Senator? So Who's giving Sen. Rick Santorum close to a $1 million to help in his re-election campaign?"] BobCasey.com, December 1, 2005.</ref>
====A Stronger America - Minnesota====
In November 2006, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party gubernatorial nominee [[Mike Hatch]]<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hatch Mike Hatch,] ''Wikipedia''.</ref> sent an email to supporters which read<ref>Michael B. Brodkorb, [http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2006/11/03/statement-from-mn-gop-on-mike-hatch/ "Statement from MN GOP on Mike Hatch,"] ''MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com'', November 3, 2006.</ref>
:A Stronger America-Minnesota purposefully structured itself to conceal its identity and its donors. It registered with the Campaign Finance Board on October 2, [2006] listing its address as a dropbox in Alexandria, Virginia. Its contributions were timed to avoid disclosure of its donors until after the November 7 election.
:A reverse directory search of 'A Stronger America's' phone number listed on its registration statement, however, shows that it and its ad agency share an office address with another PAC called 'Americans for Job Security.' The executive director of Americans for Job Security is the former political director of the Bush White House. ...
:This is not the first time we have seen this unseemly activity in Minnesota. In 2002, Americans for Job Security tried to buy the U.S. Senate race by purchasing $1 million in negative attack ads against Paul Wellstone.
According to ASA-MN's October 27, 2006, filing with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (MCFPDB), [[Joseph Deoudes]] was listed as treasurer, with the organization's address given as 107 South West Street, PMB499, Alexandria, Virginia.<ref name="MCF">[http://www.cfbreport.state.mn.us/pdfStorage/2006/CampFin/B/40968.pdf Report of Receipts and Expenditures for A Stronger America-Minnesota] filed October 27, 2006, with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.</ref> ASA-MN's registration form shows [[Sean Henry]] as ASA-MN chair.<ref>[http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/PCFDetail/PCF40968.html "Political Committees and Political Funds Registration Information: A Stronger America-Minnesota,] Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.</ref>
In its initial filing, ASA-MN reported receipts of $40,300 from only four Minnesota contributors: [[Stanley S. Hubbard]], CEO of [[Hubbard Broadcasting]] ($10,000); CAR of St. Paul ($20,000); [[Robert J. Ulrich]], CEO Target ($10,000); and the "business [[lobbying firm]]"<ref>Tom Scheck, [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/11/03/hatchreact/ "Suddenly, campaign pits Hatch vs. Hubbard,"], Minnesota Public Radio, November 3, 2006.</ref> Lindquist & Vennum PLLP ($300).<ref name="MCF"/>
On November 2, 2006, Robin Marty reported in the ''Minnesota Monitor''<ref>Robin Marty, [http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=688 " ] ''Minnesota Monitor'', November 2, 2006.</ref>
:"A few days and $450,000 worth of donations later, they may be a force that could sway the election. ... It will be unclear where the last minute surge of donations came from due to the fact that they arrived after the final reporting deadline. However, the early reports feature the $20,000 donation from CAR, a group of car dealerships that Gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch believes could have reason to prefer incumbent Tim Pawlenty in this race. According to the Star Tribune Hatch states 'I've sued a lot of car dealers.'"
The following day, on November 3, 2006, ASA-MN contributor and spokesman Joe Weber told the Associated Press that "the group has now raised close to $700,000." The group was not required to report its "fundraising and spending again until January [2007]."<ref name="Gin">[http://wcco.com/local/local_story_307153348.html "Anti-Hatch Ads Linked To Ex-Swift Boat Lawyer,"] Associated Press (CBS4 WCCO.com), November 3, 2006.</ref>
====Attack ads linked to Swift Boat lawyer and funder====
On November 3, 2006, the Associated Press reported that ASA-MN's Hatch attack ads were connected to [[Benjamin Ginsberg]], the Washington lawyer "who represented the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth]] in the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 presidential campaign]]."<ref name="Gin"/>
Ginsberg, who resigned in 2004 as a lawyer for President [[George W. Bush]]'s "campaign after acknowledging he was providing legal advice to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which made unsubstantiated allegations about [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] candidate [[John Kerry]]'s Vietnam War record," was also confirmed as being the lawyer for ASA-MN.<ref name="Gin"/>
In a December 19, 2006, follow-up, the Associated Press reported the same wealthy Houston, Texas, businessman, [[Bob Perry]], who had helped finance the Swift Boat ads against Kerry, was the "main funder" behind ASA-MN. A "recent filing with the Internal Revenue Service" showed that Perry had contributed $500,000 to [[A Stronger America]], whose Minnesota chapter had spent about $750,000 in its anti-Hatch campaign.<ref>[http://wcco.com/election/local_story_353133839.html "Swift Boat Financier Paid For Anti-Hatch Ads,"] Associated Press (CBS4 WCCO.com), December 19, 2006.</ref>
ASA-MN spokesman Joe Weber said the "infusion of Texas cash" was wired into ASA's bank account "about three weeks before the Nov. 7 election. That timing allowed the group to avoid reporting the contributions before the election.
"It also allowed the group to mount an extensive television campaign that it otherwise might not have been able to muster."<ref>Pat Doyle, [http://www.startribune.com/587/story/886589.html " Swift Boat contributor funded ads against Hatch,"] ''Star-Tribune.com'' (Minn.), December 20, 2006.</ref>
====Minnesota Complaint====
In a February 7, 2007, complaint filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board by the Minnesota DFL Party<ref name="com">[http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/bdinfo/investigation/070508_Stronger.pdf Findings and Order in the matter of the Complaint of the Minnesota DFL Party regarding A Stronger America - Minnesota. Summary of the Complaint and Responses,] Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, May 7, 2007.</ref> "points out that two organizations exist with similar names: A Stronger America, an organization established under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code ('the National Organization'), and A Stronger America – Minnesota ('ASA-MN' or 'the Committee'), the political committee registered with the Board. According to documents filed with the complaint, the two entities use the same mailing address, which is a private mailbox."
The Minnesota DFL pointed out that both organizations reported "some of the same contributions and expenditures on their reports even though" only ASA-MN was registered with the Board, particularly "a number of contributions received from corporations which are not disclosed on the ASA-MN report." The only reports considered were "year-end reports obtained by the Board for both entities."<ref name="com"/>
The Minnesota DFL's position was that the two organizations "may be a single entity, selectively reporting contributions and expenditures on
each report, or that the donations are received by the National Organization and are then used by, transferred to, or merely reported by ASA-MN." Additionally, there were no reports of separate "expenditures for overhead or support such as telephone, private mailbox rent, office space, or similar items," indicating that there was no separate operation.<ref name="com"/>
The Board's findings favored ASA-MN, only requiring the organization to amend its 2006 report to more accurately reflect some minor financial transactions.
===Election Cycle 2004===
====Texas District 1====
The special January 2004 Texas District 1 race "pitted former state Rep. Sadler of Henderson against a brace of Republicans, including former Tyler Mayor Eltife and [then] state Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview," to replace Sen. Bill Ratliff, who retired early. "Gov. [[Rick Perry]] and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst personally endorsed Eltife -- not surprising against a Democrat, but also a direct snub of House District 7 incumbent Merritt, who angered fellow Republicans by opposing congressional redistricting and voting against the final map. Merritt ran a distant third, and said he would turn his attention to the March primaries and his House re-election campaign," Michael King wrote January 23, 2004, in ''The Austin Chronicle''.<ref name="King">Michael King, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A193938 "It's Sadler and Eltife, Seliger and Edwards,"] ''The Austin Chronicle'', January 23, 2004.</ref>
"The race is hot with state partisan interest, and a D.C.-based but Austin-wired trade association with insurance industry ties calling itself Americans for Job Security ran 'issue ads' denouncing Merritt -- provoking a campaign finance law complaint from Austin-based Campaigns for People, charging illegal use of corporate funds for electioneering," King wrote.<ref name="King"/> "The daisy chain continues -- Americans for Job Security is run by Rick Perry consultant Dave Carney, a prominent 'tort reform' player also hooked up with capital GOP operatives Ray Sullivan and Reggie Bashur."
"Campaigns for People President Fred Lewis told ''The Longview News-Journal'' that the ad campaign 'looks like electioneering, it smells like electioneering, it might be electioneering. We have a corporate prohibition, and the reason is so large corporations don't so overwhelm our elections that the rights of the average people are unimportant. ... If it isn't nipped in the bud, it's going to be out of control'," King wrote.<ref name="King"/>
====Complaint====
In January 2004, the Texas watchdog group Campaigns for People (CFP) filed a complaint alleging that AJS funneled corporate money "to pay for attack ads against a state representative just days before a six-way special election." Republican Rep. Tommy Merritt, the target of the ads, CFP alleged, was attacked because he "opposed his own party’s redistricting plan that was being pushed through the legislature at the behest of U.S. House Majority Leader [[Tom DeLay]] (R-Texas)." AJS countered that the ads "weren’t intended to influence the election but rather to further AJS’s promotion of 'pro-paycheck issues'," even though, as CFP pointed out, "AJS did not air its ads during the legislative session, when the bills were being debated, but rather in the closing days of an election campaign."<ref>[http://www.stealthpacs.org/notebook/page.cfm?pageid=21 "Americans for Job Security,"] ''StealthPacs.org'', October 5, 2004.</ref>
===Supporting N.C.'s Richard Burr===
"[[Richard Burr]] is Congress’ No. 1 recipient of money from [[tobacco industry|Big Tobacco]]—and a host of other special interests. So, who does he ''really'' represent?" Jennifer Strom headlined the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina ''Independent Weekly'' on July 7, 2004.<ref name="strom">[http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A22091 "The companies he keeps. Richard Burr is Congress’ No. 1 recipient of money from Big Tobacco—and a host of other special interests. So, who does he really represent?"] ''Independent Weekly'' (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.), July 7, 2004.</ref>
Americans for Job Security had "launched a $600,000 ad campaign on Triangle and Charlotte television stations, praising the Republican's commitment to his constituents while flashing feel-good video of the casually dressed congressman shaking a lot of hands," Strom wrote,<ref name="strom"/> adding "AJS has been active in federal races since 1998, spending nearly $12 million in select races during the last presidential cycle in 2000. With close ties to the [[George W. Bush|current president]] and [[George H.W. Bush|his father]], as well as other key [[GOP]] leaders, the group has earned a reputation for anti-Democrat attack ads, including slamming Sen. [[John Edwards]] in billboard and newspaper ads during his presidential run. Because it is a so-called 'issue group' rather than a [[political action committee]], AJS is not required under campaign finance laws to disclose its donors or its expenses, though various media have reported it was initially seeded with $1 million from the [[American Insurance Association|insurance association]], took in another $2 million from that group and the [[American Forest and Paper Association]] in 2000, and has received financial support from [[pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical companies]]--all corporate interests that have contributed to Burr and received his support in Congress."
===Targeting John Edwards===
In June 2003, AJS targeted North Carolina Sen. [[John Edwards]], "a former trial lawyer who [had] received many campaign contributions from fellow attorneys ... [P]assengers arriving at the Manchester, N.H., airport, the jumping off point for reporters covering the nation's opening-gun primary, [were to] see billboards with legends like this: 'Next time you see him, tell John Edwards it's time for lawsuit reform.'"<ref name="Walt">Walter Shapiro, [http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/shapiro/2003-06-19-hype_x.htm "White House money machine may spawn gremlins,"] ''USA TODAY'', June 19, 2003.</ref>
AJS, "which advertised heavily in the 1992 congressional campaigns in support of free-market economic nostrums, [only spent] about $10,000 on these airport ads in Manchester and, eventually, Des Moines."<ref name="Walt"/>
===Paul Wellstone===
'Who is Mike Dubke?', Joe Conason asked October 24, 2002, in ''Salon''. "Dubke is the president of Americans for Job Security, a mysterious group with ties to the [[Republican Party|Republican]] congressional leadership and big business that intervenes in political races around the country, always on behalf of [[conservative]]s. It first gained notoriety a few years ago when [[Trent Lott]], then the [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] majority leader, shook down a group of Washington [[lobbyist]]s to donate money to the organization, which was helping a Republican senatorial candidate in Michigan. [In 2002], the same outfit has targeted Minnesota Sen. [[Paul Wellstone]] with radio and TV ads of dubious accuracy. In fact, AJS is spending a million dollars attacking the Democrat during the weeks leading up to Election Day."<ref name="Con">Joe Conason, [http://archive.salon.com/politics/conason/2002/10/24/bush/index.html "The most ridiculous, shameless lie in this campaign season,"] ''Joe Conason's Journal''/''Salon'', October 24, 2002.</ref>
"AJS bills itself for tax and regulatory purposes as a 'nonpolitical trade organization'," Conason wrote.<ref name="Con"/> "As such, AJS is forbidden from partisan activity on behalf of a candidate; legally, it can only run issue-oriented advertising. But the AJS advertising against Wellstone has gone way over that blurry line. That is why Dubke uttered the consummate lie in an interview with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Asked whether his latest anti-Wellstone commercial is 'intended to influence the election,' Dubke replied, 'Absolutely not.' He embroidered his mendacity by adding that the ad 'is not an attack on Wellstone's integrity as much as bringing up the issue of the trustworthiness of public officials.'"
===Election Cycle 2000===
====Microsoft====
"[I]n 2000, [[Microsoft]] allegedly used Americans for Job Security (AJS) as a conduit for political money. AJS is a trade association that represents no industry or group of companies and doesnot disclose its membership. According to the Campaign Finance Institute, in 2000 Microsoft gave an undisclosed amount to AJS, which claimed to have spent between $10 and $12 million on political ads that year. The group’s political activity included spending around $700,000 on ads praising [Spencer] [[Spencer Abraham|Abraham]] and attacking [Debbie] [[Debbie Stabenow|Stabenow]], and spending upwards of $500,000 on ads attacking Washington Democratic nominee [[Maria Cantwell]]. The Campaign Finance Institute reports that Cantwell is an executive at a firm that competes with Microsoft."<ref>[http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:pIhUD6p52DwJ:www.politicalaccountability.net/files/TAMicrosoft10-16-06.pdf+%22Americans+for+Job+Security%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=39&gl=us&client=news "Political Transparency and Accountability Profile (2006): Microsoft,"] PoliticalAccountability.net.</ref>
===Other Issues===
====Member of Anti-Estate Tax Coalition (2002-2005)====
"In the months prior to the 2002 election, pro-repeal organizations ran estate tax issue ads in South Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, lowa, and Arkansas. In Missouri, the [[United Seniors Association]] and Americans for Job Security (phony grassroots organizations fronting for corporate interests) targeted former Senator [[Jean Carnahan]]'s position on the estate tax. In Minnesota, Americans for Job Security ran full-page newspaper ads attacking the late Senator Paul Wellstone for voting against full repeal, and flew a banner at the Minnesota state fair: 'Wellstone Quit Taxing the Dead!'."<ref>Rosie Hunter and Chuck Collins, [http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Economics/DeathTax_Deception.html "'Death Tax' Deception. Who's behind the movement to repeal the nation's only tax on inherited wealth?"] ''Dollars and Sense Magazine'' (''ThirdWorldTraveler''), January/February 2003.</ref>
In summer 2005, AJS, "which devotes nearly all of its spending on advertising, concentrates nearly entirely on messages that aim to influence elections as opposed to influencing the outcomes of discrete public policy issues", departed "from that practice" and "targeted" four senators "with issue-related advertisements that supported a repeal of the estate tax. They were former Sen. [[Bill Frist]] (R-Tenn), and Sens. [[Max Baucus]] (D-Mont.), [[Jon Kyl]] (R-Ariz.) and [[Mary Landrieu]] (D-La.)."<ref name="clean"/>
====Against the Employee Free Choice Act (2008)====
In the weeks following the 2008 election Americans for Job Security has "a new ad out for their opposition to Card Check, and they have bought air time for it on almost all of the television networks." [http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/21/video-the-card-check-ad-cbs-doesnt-want-you-to-see/]
[[CBS]] refused to air the ad, which was featured [http://www.breitbart.tv/html/226163.html here]. In a statement Stephen DeMaura said, "Americans for Job Security attempted to advertise on the CBS Network but our advertisement titled 'Secret' was denied. It is one part of a serious and ongoing public policy debate on the Employee Free Choice Act. According to our media buyers, CBS officials cited the appearance of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom the advertisement shows in visual form only, as one of the primary reasons for the denial of the advertisement. One CBS representative felt that viewers would be 'confused' by its contents within their program. The advertisement was approved by other broadcast networks."
The advertisement and its placement on Fox News Sunday drew additional criticism as the message of the ad was parodied by host Chris Wallace just before the commercial break. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCIHj1D5tY]
====Against the Pebble Mine in Alaska (2008)====
In 2008, Americans for Job Security took a strong and active stance against the controversial Pebble Mine in Alaska, which may threaten the commercial and sport fishing industry of the area. The active opposition of the organization created controversy as it coincided with Ballot Measure 4, which would have stopped the effort. The Anchorage Daily News reported that AJS was the major source of funding for the campaign against Pebble Mine, but that its treasurer claimed not to know who was funding AJS.<ref>Andrew Halcro, "[http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/503421.html Ballot Measure 4 is premature strike at Pebble Mine]," ''Anchorage Daily News'', August 24, 2008. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref> A separate account of the effort by the Anchorage Daily News wrote, "Americans for Job Security -- a secretive, Republican-oriented group in Virginia that doesn't identify its members -- contributed nearly $3 million to back Measure 4," and that they "also funded "issue" ads in the form of mailers and radio spots. The cost of those ads was not disclosed."<ref>Elizabeth Bluemink, "[http://www.adn.com/election/story/507096.html Measure 4 failing by large margin]," ''Anchorage Daily News'', August 27, 2008. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
AJS' push for Pebble Mine came under scrutiny after the upswell in ad dollars spent in Alaska and prompted the Alaska Public Offices Commission to fine the group $20,000 and issue a report stating, "Americans for Job Security has no purpose other than to cover various money trails all over the country."<ref name="MIKE">Mike McIntire, [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/us/politics/24donate.html?pagewanted=all/ "Hidden Under Tax-Exempt Cloak, Political Dollars Flow"], ''New York Times'', September 23, 2010.</ref>
The Pebble Mine would be the largest open pit mine in the world and has been actively supported by international mining companies who donated more than $8 million to Ballot Measure 4. [http://www.adn.com/election/story/507096.html] Many argued it was weird that AJS would oppose the project but Stephen DeMaura group President said in a Daily News Miner story “We believe the Pebble Mine is bad for the commercial fishing industry in Alaska,” DeMaura said. “We’re going to continue to engage in that discussion for as long as it takes.” [http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/jul/31/groups-spend-more-76-million-clean-water-campaigns/]
===="Stealth PAC"====
In the July/August ''Election Update'', the National Committee for an Effective Congress reported:<ref>[http://www.ncec.org/publications/newsletter/Jul_2000_election_update.pdf ''Election Update'',] National Committee for an Effective Congress, July/August 2000.</ref>
:"One challenge Representative Stabenow faces is competing with Abraham’s massive war chest. While Stabenow has raised roughly $2 million, Senator Abraham has over $5 million. Attack ads aired by the Federation for American Immigration Reform may have forced Abraham to devote resources to a response, but Stabenow has faced similar problems. One group, Americans for Job Security, has already spent nearly $450,000 on negative advertisements. The massive financial advantage may be counteracted by ''The Washington Post'''s discovery of the unscrupulous tactics used by Abraham’s campaign to raise the money. Senator Abraham staffers, with help from Senate Majority Leader [[Trent Lott]], have extorted money from high-tech industries by linking their contributions to important legislation. Much of the funding has been directed to a 'stealth PAC', Americans for Job Security, used to attack Representative Stabenow. At a time when Americans are more concerned than ever before with campaign finance reform, this scandal does not bode well for the Abraham campaign."
==Funding==
AJS has "steadfastly refused to disclose its contributors. The group’s explanation underlines why disclosure of funding sources of grassroots [[lobbying]] campaigns is needed: AJS President [[Mike Dubke]] has said that such disclosure would distract from the group’s message," ''[[Public Citizen]]'' wrote in a January 2007 report on [[astroturf]] groups.<ref name="clean">[http://www.cleanupwashington.org/documents/astroturf.pdf "Organizing Astroturf: Evidence Shows Bogus Grassroots Groups Hijack the Political Debate; Need for Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure Requirements ] ''Public Citizen''/CleaUpWashington.org, January 2007.</ref>
In its 2010 tax filings, AJS described the source of its revenue as follows:
:"The organization has over 100 members which pay membership fees that are deposited into the general fund and will support the broad mission and efforts of the organization."<ref name="2010 990"/>
AJS "has a history of injecting itself into Congressional campaigns," Carl Hulse wrote July 14, 2002, in the ''New York Times'',<ref>Carl Hulse, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02EEDD1F30F937A25754C0A9649C8B63&n=Top/News/U.S./U.S.%20States,%20Territories%20and%20Possessions/South%20Dakota "Ads Push Estate Tax As Issue in Campaigns,"] ''New York Times'', July 14, 2002.</ref> and "was apparently used solely as a
conduit to hide corporate political spending and insulate companies from accountability," a May 2006 report by the [[Center for Political Accountability]] stated.<ref>[http://www.politicalaccountability.net/files/PressRelease-HiddenRivers6-06.pdf "CPA report calls trade associations 'Swiss bank accounts of American politics,' hiding and spending corporate political funds and heightening risks for shareholders,"] Center for Political Accountability, May 15, 2006.</ref>
In the wake of ''Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission'', the FEC issued advisory opinions which stated that any group making an "independent expenditure" intended to influence a political race, either for or against a candidate but independent from any candidate's campaign, should register with the FEC as a political action committee and disclose their finances. AJS declined to do so, interpreting FEC rules to mandate disclosure only when a donor mandates that their money be used in a specific time, place and manner; a situation that almost never occurs.[http://www.americanindependent.com/americans-for-job-security-rebuffs-disclosure-requirements/]
===Core Financials===
'''<big>2012</big>'''<ref name="2012 990">Americans for Job Security, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/522/062/2012-522062978-09b31291-9O.pdf 2012 IRS form 990], organizational tax filing, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref><br>
'''For the period November 1, 2011-October 31, 2012'''<br>
* Total Revenue: $51,030,033
* Total Expenses: $48,420,068
**Major Expenses: $26,335,750 (grant funding); $18,160,668 (media services/placement)
* Net Assets: $3,336,538
'''<big>2011</big>'''<ref name="2011 990">Americans for Job Security, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/522/062/2011-522062978-08b86516-9O.pdf 2011 IRS form 990], organizational tax filing, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref><br>
'''For the period November 1, 2010-October 31, 2011'''<br>
* Total Revenue: $2,508,025
* Total Expenses: $2,481,855
**Major expense: $1,895,206 (media services/placement)
* Net Assets: $726,573
'''<big>2010</big>'''<ref name="2010 990">Americans for Job Security, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2010/522/062/2010-522062978-076576dd-9O.pdf 2010 IRS form 990], organizational tax filing, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
'''For the period November 1, 2009-October 31, 2010.'''
* Total Revenue: $12, 411,684
* Total Expenses: $12,417,809
**Major expense: $10,374, 852 (media services/placement)
* Net Assets: $700,403
'''<big>2009</big>'''<ref name="2010 990"/>
'''For the period November 1, 2008-October 31, 2009.'''
* Total Revenue: $3,625,918
* Total Expenses: $3,490,547
* Net Assets: $706,529
===Grants Issued===
'''<big>2012</big>'''<ref name="2012 990"/>
*[[Taxpayers Protection Alliance]]: $1,108,000
*[[Americans for Limited Government]]: $10,000
*[[American Action Network]]: $25,000
*[[Coalition for American Jobs]]: $442,000
*[[Center to Protect Patient Rights]]: $24,550,000
*[[American Tradition Partnership]]: $70,750
*[[Empower Texans DBA Texans for Fiscal Responsibility]]: $40,000<br>
AJS reported no grants given in 2010 or 2011.
===Known Funders===
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, some 2012 donors to AJS could be identified from [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/810042-americans-for-job-security-fppc-list-public.html documents released] after a California grand jury investigation into a dark money campaign finance scheme.<ref name="ca investigation">Viveca Novak, "[http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/10/california-investigation-reveals-so/ California Investigation Reveals Some Donors in Dark Money Scheme]," Center for Responsive Politics, October 24, 2013. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref> These donors included:
*[[Crossroads GPS]]: $2 million
*[[Sheldon Adelson]]: $250,000
*[[Miriam Adelson]]: $250,000
*[[Jesse Rogers]], [[Altman Capital]]: $450,000
*[[Greg Penner]], [[Walmart]]: $500,000
*[[Margaret Bloomfield]], Baron Real Estate Fund: $500,000
*[[Glen Stearns]], Stearns Lending: $250,000
*[[Tulley and Elise Friedman Fund]]: $100,000
*[[American Council of Engineering Companies of California]]: $500,000
*[[Wayne Huges]]: $450,000
*[[Hitchcock Automotive]]: $100,000<ref name="ca investigation"/>
*[[Bob Fisher]], Gap Inc.: $9 million<ref name="york">Anthony York, "[http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-secret-donors-california-initiatives-20131024-story.html#axzz2igMRZT1T List unmasks secret donors to California initiative campaigns]," ''LA Times'', October 24, 2013. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
*[[Charles Schwab]], investor: $6.2 million<ref name="york"/>
*[[Eli Broad]], philanthropist: $1 million<ref name="york"/>
One additional known funder of AJS is the [[Center to Protect Patients' Rights]] (CPPR), which gave AJS $4.8 million in 2010 as part of a $55 million dollar block of donations to conservative groups that spent millions in the 2010 elections including the [[American Future Fund]], the [[60 Plus Association]] and [[Americans for Tax Reform]]. <ref name="group funneled"> Viveca Novak: [http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2012/05/cppr.html Mystery Health Care Group Funneled Millions to Conservative Nonprofits]. Opensecrets, May 18th, 2012. Accessed August 10th, 2012. </ref> AJS in turn gave $24.5 million to CPPR in 2012, the year both groups were involved in the California dark money scheme.
Another known funder is the [[Wellspring Foundation]], which gave AJS $346,098 in 2010; the foundation also gave to political groups like the [[American Action Network]], [[American Majority]], and the [[Franklin Center]]. <ref>Wellspring Foundation, [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2010/262/046/2010-262046485-07d6cafa-9O.pdf Wellspring Foundation Form 990], accessed via Guidestar.org Jan 3, 2013.</ref>
==Republican affiliations==
*[[Political Solutions]]<ref>[http://www.progresspittsburgh.com/DocumentPage.php?blockid=394 "Eileen Watt: Political Solutions hired for Council race,"] Progress Pittsburgh, February 18, 2005.</ref>, "founded to help ensure Republican candidates, free enterprise PACs and conservative causes achieve success."<ref>[http://www.polsol.com/company.html About,] PolSol.com.</ref>
*[[Public Opinion Strategies]], a self-described "Republican polling firm", which "used mall intercept testing" in "issue campaign experience on behalf of" AJS "and others".<ref>[http://www.pos.org/research/methodology.asp Research: Methodology: Mall Intercepts,] Public Opinion Strategies, accessed October 19, 2007.</ref>
*[[Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm]] media consulting firm; as are the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]], [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]], several individual Republican members of Congress, and a lengthy list of Republican-affiliated organizations and front groups. Heading the list, however, is the only "National 527" [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth|Swift Boat Veterans and POWs for Truth]].<ref>[http://srcpmedia.com/contents/persuade/clients.shtml Clients,] Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potholm, accessed October 19, 2007.</ref>
*Convicted [[2002 Election NH "Phone Jamming" Case|2002 New Hampshire phone-jammer]] [[Charles McGee]], vice president of political and corporate communications at Spectrum Monthly & Printing Inc., and former executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/05/29/convicted_phone_jammer_helping_host_gop_candidate_workshop/ "Convicted phone-jammer helping host GOP candidate workshop,"] Associated Press (''Boston Globe''), May 29, 2006.</ref>
===Crossroads Media, Black Rock Group & TargetPoint Consulting===
AJS lists its address at a drop box at a UPS store in Alexandria, Virginia, but the ''New York Times'' discovered in 2010 that the group's acting president DeMaura works in an office space shared with Crossroads Media and the Black Rock Group, which were founded by AJS co-founder Dubke.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/02/26/us/politics/66-canal-center-plaza-suite-555.html/ "66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 555"], ''The New York Times'', February 25, 2012.</ref><ref>Mike McIntire and Michael Luo,[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/us/politics/loose-border-of-super-pac-and-romney-campaign.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0/ "Fine Line Between 'Super PACs' and Campaigns"],''The New York Times'', February 25, 2012.</ref> AJS made almost all of its 2012 media buys through Crossroads Media, as did American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS- which are led by Carl Forti, who along with Dubke leads the Black Rock Group.<ref>[http://www.blackrockgrp.com/teambio.php/ "Black Rock Group Bios"] ''Black Rock Group'', Accessed: January 14, 2012</ref>. "Dubke, over the last five years operating as an advertising agency, has placed attack radio and television commercials in races all over the country. He has been investigated, threatened and described as a 'political jackal' because he represents groups that don't disclose the sources of their money. He says that is deliberate, because keeping the sources secret means the debate is on his targets rather than his donors."<ref name="WWT"/><ref>[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_ind/C00366906/ Ray for Congress, FEC ID#C00366906,] FEC Disclosure. Michael D. Dubke is listed as "Crossroads Media/partner".</ref>
In addition AJS shares an office with TargetPoint Consulting who are described "As the exclusive supplier of MicroTargeting research and data to the Republican National Committee, the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and several Fortune 500 companies, TargetPoint Consulting offers the gold standard in voter-relationship management," its website states. [[http://targetpointconsulting.com/AboutUS/default.aspx]]
The partners of TargetPoint are Alex Gage, Michael Meyers who were chief strategists for the Presidential campaign of Mitt Romney and the third partner is Brent Seaborn who held the same position for the presidential campaign of Rudy Giuliani. [http://www.targetpointconsulting.com/Principals/default.aspx]
===Ad Coordination===
Some of AJS' ad buys appear to be coordinated with [[Karl Rove]]'s Crossroads groups. For example, AJS made an $8 million buy in late September 2012 urging disaffected Obama supporters not to vote for him again, a message whose timing and tone was in sync with ads run during the same period by [[American Crossroads]] and [[Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies]]- and all three groups used Crossroads Media as their media buyer.<ref>Julie Bykowicz, [http://go.bloomberg.com/political-capital/2012-09-28/business-group-runs-literally-8-million-in-ads/ "Business Group Runs-Literally-$8 Million in Ads"], ''Bloomberg'', September 28, 2012.</ref>
In Pennsylvania, AJS spent $1.2 million on ads in Philadelphia at the same time [[American Crossroads]] spent the same amount on ads across the rest of the state.<ref>[http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/10/31/4376061/political-ads-gear-up-for-final.html?storylink=digger-topic/ "Political ads gear up for final push of campaign"], ''Star-Telegram'', Accessed January 14, 2012.</ref>
The ties don't end there: For an unknown reason, AJS has disbursed nearly $1 million directly to [[Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategices]].<ref>[http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C30001135/507685/f93/ "Disbursements Made or Obligations- Committee: Americans for Job Security"], ''Federal Election Commission'', Accessed January 14, 2012.</ref>
==Personnel==
*[[Stephen DeMaura]], President.<ref name="2012 990"/>Former Executive Director of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee<ref>Kathy Sullivan, "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-sullivan/sununu-front-group-attack_b_110281.html Sununu Front Group Attacks Shaheen in New Hampshire]," ''Huffington Post'', July 1, 2008. Accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
*[[Nicholas Terzulli]], Treasurer/Director<ref name="2012 990"/>
*[[Art Hackney]], Director<ref name="2012 990"/><br>
According to ''Public Citizen'', the following are principals and consultants affiliated with AJS, post past and present.<ref>[http://www.stealthpacs.org/agent.cfm?Org_ID=41 Consultants: Americans for Job Security,] ''StealthPacs.org''.</ref>
*[[Michael D. Dubke]], Former President;<ref name="WWT"/> aide to [[George H.W. Bush|Bush]]-[[J. Danforth Quayle|Quayle]] 1992;<ref>[http://www.stealthpacs.org/agent.cfm?agent_id=863 Agent: Michael Dubke,] ''StealthPacs.org''.</ref> former head of [[Ripon Society]]<ref name="open"/>
*[[Marc Del Signore]], Board of Directors (2002)
*[[Valerie Musgrove]], Board of Directors (2002)
*[[Robert Vagley]], Founder (1997); president [[American Insurance Association]]<ref name="open"/>
====Former Principals====
*[[Heather Richardson Higgins]] has held senior positions in numerous right-wing foundations, including the [[Randolph Foundation]], the [[Smith Richardson Foundation]], the [[Independent Women's Forum]], and the [[Philanthropy Roundtable]]. <ref> [http://old.mediatransparency.org/personprofile.php?personID=433 Media Transparency Heather R. Higgins Person Profile], accessed October 20, 2011 </ref>
===Consultants===
*[[David Carney]], Consultant (2003)
*[[Benjamin Ginsberg]], AJS Counsel (2003)
*[[Eddie Mahe]], Consultant (1998)
*[[Leigh Ann Pusey]], Strategic adviser (1998)
===Affiliated consultants or vendors===
*[[Creative Media Partners]] (listed AJS as client 2004)
*[[Edmonds Hackney and Associates]] (produced [[John Edwards]] ad 2003)
*[[Tarrance Group]] (pollsters 2004)
==Contact information==
107 South West Street, PMB 551<br>
Alexandria, VA 22314<br>
Phone: 703-535-3110<br><ref>Americans for Job Security, [http://www.savejobs.org/contactus.php Contact Us], organizational website, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref>
==Articles and resources==
===Related SourceWatch articles===
*[[Jamestown Associates]]
*[[push poll]]
*[[soft money]]
*[[Strategic Media Services]]
*[[swiftboating]]
*[[U.S. congressional elections in 2006: Robo Calls]]
===References===
<references/>
===External resources===
*[http://www.gwu.edu/~action/ads2/adamjobsec.html Ad: "So think hard America"] (30 sec. TV spot running in Tampa Nov. 2000); posted by George Washington University.
*Stephen R. Weissman and Kara D. Ryan,[http://www.cfinst.org/books_reports/pdf/NP_SoftMoney_0608.pdf "Soft Money,"] [[Campaign Finance Institute]], Washington,DC, 2007.
*[http://www.stealthpacs.org/profile.cfm?org_id=41 Profile: Americans for Job Security Profile,] ''Stealthpacs.org''/''Public Citizen'', undated, accessed April 2007.
===[[Americans for Job Security/external articles|External articles]]===
[[category:politics (U.S.)]][[category:elections (U.S.)]][[category:political dirty tricks]][[category:front groups]][[Category:Koch Connection]]
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==Edits==
