Wednesday, July 3, 2013

King Salmon Political Fundraiser Draws Fishing Industry Honchos


Wild salmon weren’t the only ones attracting fishing industry executives to the Bristol Bay region this past weekend.

Industry sources say anyone who is anyone in the Bristol Bay fisheries, including officials with the region’s fish processing firms, was on hand July 1 at the King Salmon the fundraiser for Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, and Gov. Sean Parnell.  Young is seeking re-election to his 22nd term in Congress, while Parnell is seeking a second full term as governor. 

Parnell announced plans to seek re-election in May. Young filed for re-election in Anchorage on July 2.

Young traveled to King Salmon with Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, for the event at the home of Jim Jansen, chief executive officer of Lynden, Inc.

A guest who spoke on condition of anonymity said the guest list included virtually everyone involved in the Alaska seafood industry, plus state and local dignitaries, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

And yes, there was a lot of real fresh salmon served up for the guests.

How much money was raised at the King Salmon gathering is unknown, but Young and Boehner headed next for Anchorage, for a July 2 fundraiser at the home of Dana Pruhs, a former member of the Alaska Board of Fish and Game, who is in the construction business. An invitation to that event suggested contributions of $500 to $1,000, with donors of $2,500 or more getting a photo reception opportunity, according to the political newspaper Politico, which obtained a copy of that invite.

The Anchorage event was a benefit for Boehner’s political action committee, the Republican National Congressional Committee, the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee.

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