Minuteman leader hits campaign trail

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

Minuteman President Chris Simcox begins a nine-day barnstorming tour today in Colorado in a last-minute effort to campaign for U.S. Senate and House candidates "who stand for strong borders" and oppose President Bush's guest-worker program.

As head of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and (MCDC) honorary chairman of its political action committee, Mr. Simcox has targeted races in 10 states "where we can make a difference ... places where our friends need help."

Mr. Simcox has taken several nationwide tours as the Minuteman organization flexes its political muscle, asking for donations to help elect candidates endorsed by the committee.

The Minuteman PAC has spent hundreds of thousands of donated dollars in the past few months to support candidates nationwide who advocate immigration reform.

"I look forward to helping elect good men and women who share our belief that the illegal alien invasion must be stopped now," Mr. Simcox said on the group's Web site.

Calls to Mr. Simcox were routed to MCDC spokeswoman Connie Hair, who referred inquiries to Minuteman PAC spokesman Rick Shaftan. Mr. Shaftan declined to talk with The Washington Times.

It is not clear how much the barnstorming tour will cost or who is paying for it. Mr. Simcox has been speaking at campaign fundraisers and other events across the country for the past several months. MCDC has not made any financial statements or fundraising records public since its April 2005 creation.

The Minuteman PAC, claiming access to 500,000 households nationwide, has pledged to do what it can financially to help elect "committed and principled conservative leaders," citing Mr. Simcox and conservative activist Alan Keyes as examples.

In Colorado, Mr. Simcox will campaign for Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, a Republican challenged by Democrat Angie Paccione in her bid for a third term; Doug Lamborn, a state senator who is in a tough fight against Democrat Jay Fawcett; and Scott Tipton, a pottery store owner who is challenging Rep. John Salazar, a Democrat.

Mr. Simcox also is scheduled to campaign in Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, Missouri and California "on behalf of candidates who share our belief that our borders must be secured now." None of the candidates has been identified.

MCDC is a project of Declaration Alliance, a tax-exempt Virginia-based charity founded by Mr. Keyes, and the Minuteman PAC falls under the same umbrella. Formally known as the Declaration Alliance Minuteman Civil Defense Corps Political Action Committee, it is headed by Reston, Va., accountant William L. Constantine.

Mr. Simcox is not listed on the Minuteman PAC statement of organization.

Federal Election Commission records show that the Minuteman PAC has spent about $300,000 on congressional campaigns, most of it going to private companies. Many of those companies have ties to the tax-exempt charities and fundraising groups founded or headed by Mr. Keyes. The cash has gone for direct-mail fundraisers, telemarketing, advertising and disbursement fees.