Deval Patrick gives OK to super PACs
Presidential candidate Deval Patrick on Sunday said he would welcome windfalls from super PACs as the former Bay State governor enters the Democratic race at the 11th hour — a split from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren who has slammed candidates endorsing the use of super PACs.
While Patrick told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he’s “not crazy about super PACs,” he added that he would accept their support because he’s doing “catch up” in the 2020 race.
Super PACs can raise unlimited sums and do not have to disclose their donors. Patrick said that was his only concern with their involvement in his campaign.
“If there is going to be super PAC money that supports me, the sources of that should be disclosed,” he said.
Patrick’s comments about super PACs come a month after former Vice President Joe Biden flipflopped and said he would accept funding from super PACs in the 2020 race. That decision drew criticism from Warren.
“It’s disappointing that any Democratic candidate would reverse course and endorse the use of unlimited contributions from the wealthy to run against fellow Democrats,” Warren tweeted at the time. “A handful of wealthy donors should not be allowed to buy the Democratic nomination. That’s not who we are.”
She added, “The Democratic primary should belong to grassroots supporters and grassroots donors, not the rich and powerful. Every Democratic candidate should agree: Super PACs have no place in our primary.”
Allies of Biden have formed a super PAC called Unite the Country, allowing wealthy individuals and corporations to spend massive amounts boosting his 2020 bid. The group’s board includes former Biden aide Larry Rasky, the head of a prominent Boston lobbying firm.
The Democratic primary has been animated by a rejection of the big money in politics that super PACs represent, and Biden had joined other top contenders in swearing off such groups. But recently he reversed himself after struggling to raise as much money as other leading contenders in the race.