Business PAC vouches for Cote

Adam Cote picked up the endorsements of the Business Industry Political Action Committee and the Maine Credit Union this week.

BIPAC is a national organization backed by major corporations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, which gave them $10,000 in this election cycle, Southern Electric Company, $5,000, General Motors, $1,000 and Halliburton Company, $1,000. The bulk of the candidates endorsed by the group are Republicans.

Cote is the only Democrat BIPAC has endorsed this cycle. Campaign manager Tom Janenda said Cote appeals to a broad base of people because of the need to elect more people with real world experience to Congress.

“Our campaign support is far reaching – from progressive organizations such as the National Committee for an Effective Congress to more conservative organizations such as BI-PAC and those in between like VoteVets.Org, The Council for a Livable World's Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy and the Maine Credit Union League,” Janenda said.

“The reason Adam has received support from across the board is that he is the only candidate in this race with detailed plans to help create jobs in Maine, lower energy costs, and responsibly get out us of Iraq without creating a humanitarian crisis.”

BIPACs current legislative priorities include support of: free trade negotiating authority, immigration reform to allow a smooth functioning visa process for temporary workers, and energy policy.

On energy, their Web site states: “While policies should be supported to promote supplies of reliable market-based alternatives, the reality is that for the near-term the source of our energy is some combination of coal, oil or gas, and nuclear. Expansion of exploration and delivery of a domestic supply must be encouraged.”

Cote has worked on clean energy solutions for both business and governments. Unlike BIPAC, he supports moving away from traditional energy sources and toward alternative energy.

“This is an area in Congress where I can make an immediate impact. I closely studied the 2005 energy bill that contained little on clean energy yet provided senseless handouts to oil companies, so I understand the challenges we will face restructuring our own energy sector in the next Congress,” Cote writes on his Web site.

Cote has the financial support of many businesses, especially in the financial and construction sectors, and many Maine-based. In the April quarterly report, donors giving $2,300, the maximum allowed, are: Mariner Investment Group in New York, Goldman Sachs, an investment group out of New York, Discovery media, Cianbro, a construction company out of Pittsfield and Safe Handling Inc., a packaging company in Auburn.

Cote has also gotten $5,000 from the Florida Power and Light PAC, which supports the use of wind power, and a number of donations from Political Action Committees seeking to change Congress.

BIPAC endorsed Cote because of his military experience in Iraq and Bosnia and also business policy. Officials from the group could not be reached for further comment.

“Adam Cote will work to promote sound business policies. He is the clear choice in a hotly contested Democratic primary, particularly when it comes to prosperity issues,” said Gregory S. Casey, President and CEO of BIPAC, in a release “Adam is tenacious and outspoken. He is a member of the Small Business Association National Advisory Council and has strong local business support in the 1st District.”

Casey added: “Adam has worked tirelessly to enhance Maine’s business climate, something that is particularly important now with the economy being the top concern for voters,” said Casey. “I expect this trend to continue when he comes to Washington, and as a result, we strongly endorse his candidacy.”

Cote was also endorsed by the Maine Credit Union this week.

"Adam has based his campaign on the idea that if we all work together and cooperate, we can strengthen Maine's economy. That's the right message and the kind of leadership we need right now to get something done," said League CEO John Murphy in a release. "As a life-long credit union member, Adam understands their value and importance to the 600,000 credit union members in Maine. He would be a strong advocate on their behalf in Congress."