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.