Columbus Chamber Political Engagement

POLITICAL STRATEGY SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT TO THE GASC

Political Engagement SubcommitteeDave Robinson, Committee Chair

Barbara BenhamBill Byers

Dan HelmickDave Leland

Chris PuglieseBob Roach

Elise SpriggsDoug TalbottSteve TugendBuzz Trafford

Nathan Wymer

Legal Counsel: Victor Ferguson & Dave Hoeffel, Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease

Chamber Staff: Michael Hartley, Kristen Easterday, Kate Neithammer, Nicole Piscitani

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement

– GASC Process

– Goals

– Principles

– Why

– How

– A Start

GASC Process

Columbus Chamber GASC Goals

Why additional political engagement?

Growing Our Political Engagement

Three Phases

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 1: Education

Scorecard– Local, State and Federal Policy

Makers – Columbus Chamber Public Policy

Agenda Issues– Notified a vote will count on

Columbus Chamber Scorecard– Scorecard Published & Distributed

to Columbus Chamber Members Prior to Election

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 1: Education

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 2: Candidate Endorsement

– Confidential Candidate Interview

– Questions on Chamber Public Policy Agenda

– Identify Candidates Who Support Business

– Local (Franklin County and City of Columbus), State and Federal Elections in Chamber Territory

– Discretion Not to Endorse– Bi-Partisan Chamber

Volunteers Recommend Slate of Endorsed Candidates Based upon Background and Interview

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 2: Candidate Endorsement

Columbus Chamber Political EngagementPhase 3: Political ContributionsOption A: Independent Expenditure

– Super PAC– Unlimited Corporate

Contributions– No Coordination with

Campaigns– Direct Election Advocacy– 573 Super PACs raised

$218,220,946 and spent $115,337,051 so far in 2012 Election

– Goal of $250,000 to $1,000,000

Columbus Chamber Political EngagementPhase 3: Political Contributions Option A: Independent Expenditure

Columbus Chamber Political EngagementPhase 3: Political ContributionsOption B: Traditional Candidate PAC

– Personal Contributions– Expenditures Directly to

Candidates/Campaign Committees

– Result of Endorsements or Role of Policy Maker

– Goal of $100,000-$250,000

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option B: Traditional Candidate PAC

Columbus Chamber Political EngagementPhase 3: Political ContributionsOption C: Ballot Issue PAC

– Corporate Contributions

– Independent Expenditure Campaign

– Issues Not Candidates

Columbus Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option C: Ballot Issue PAC

A Start Not A Conclusion

Political Engagement Subcommittee Conclusions

• Possible Implementation of Phases 1 and 2• Further Research on Phase 3

Next Steps for Discussion

Appendix

• Metro Chambers Comparison• Best Practices• Legal Guidance