What's Ted's connection?

The Ted Stevens Excellence In Public Service

The Ted Stevens Excellence In Public Service ‘527’ Was Founded On October 16, 2003 To Increase The Number Of Republican Women Elected To Office. Roll Call reported that the groups’ aim was to raise “about $50,000 a year to create a training ground for female candidates and campaign workers.” [Articles of Incorporation, State of Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development; 527 Uses Stevens’ Name; Group Aims to Elect Women, Roll Call, 3/23/2004]

• The Original Incorporators Included Gloria Shriver, Wife Of Alaska Republican Party Chair, Randy Reudrich, Patricia Baker, And Sarah Palin, Then Mayor Of Wasilla. [Articles of Incorporation, State of Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development]

• Under Their Tax-Exempt Status The Board Members of the Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service 527 Had The liberty To Raise As Much Money As They Wanted As Long As Stevens Remained Removed From The Fundraising Efforts. [527 Uses Stevens’ Name; Group Aims to Elect Women, Roll Call, 3/23/2004]
• No Periodic Or Annual Filings Are Available For This Organization. If the group did in fact raise their stated goal of $50,000 a year they would be required to file their Annual Information Returns to the IRS. If the received more than $25,000 they are required to at least report their earnings to a designated State Agency—APOC has no record of any filings from the organization. [Filing Requirements, Internal Revenue Service]

Stevens Declined To Comment On Involvement With 527 Groups. Supporters of Sen. Ted Stevens established a 527 group, The Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service Inc. with the intention of being a political boot camp for female Alaska Republicans and raising money outside federal limits. These groups can raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations or unlimited donations from individuals. The foundation’s board is made up of a half- dozen or so former staffers and longtime supporters in Alaska, some of whom are registered lobbyists. “Stevens aides in D.C. declined to comment and referred questions to his top political operative, Timothy McKeever, a lobbyist in Alaska, who was not available for comment.” [527 Uses Stevens' Name, Roll Call, 3/23/2004]