Super PAC enters Bishop-Altschuler rematch
Congressman Tim Bishop takes part in a debate against his opponent, Randy Altschuler at Hampton Bays High School. (Sept. 24, 2012) Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
A Democratic super PAC has jumped into the rematch between Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and Republican Randy Altschuler, after previous big-money buys by Republican groups.
The House Majority PAC, seeking to help Democrats regain control of Congress, is spending $260,000 on a new TV ad highlighting Altschuler's former company, OfficeTiger, which provided corporations with backshop workers overseas and in the United States.
Bishop calls his opponent an "outsourcer," which the new ad repeats. Altschuler has said his firm only created jobs -- 750 in America and more than 3,000 overseas, largely in India.
The super PAC's new ad comes a week after a nonprofit advocacy group founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove spent $260,000 on an ad attacking Bishop. It highlights a controversy involving the Bishop campaign's contact with a constituent who sought the congressman's help with a permit.
Bishop denies violating House ethics rules that bar soliciting donations in return for official actions.
With the House Majority ad buy, independent groups have spent more than $800,000 in the 1st Congressional District. That includes $312,000 by a new super PAC largely funded by an East Setauket financier.
