Sen. Dan S. Sullivan (R., Alaska) is getting some welcome news from allies of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.), who are highlighting Sullivan’s “record of delivering for Alaskans” via a $6 million issue advocacy campaign from One Nation.
One Nation, an outside group aligned with Thune, is highlighting everything from Sullivan’s wins for veterans to his work to stop robocalls. In One Nation’s latest ad, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, Robb from Anchorage, Alaska, touts Sullivan’s leadership on the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act.
Prior to that bill’s passage, credit reporting bureaus could sell prospective homebuyers’ information to mortgage lenders and brokers after they applied for a mortgage — this often resulted in a barrage of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and competing mortgage offers, which Robb, like many Americans, took issue with.
As Robb is praising Sullivan’s work, he is interrupted mid-ad by spam callers. “Can you take me off the list?” he asks on air. “You know what, goodbye.”
“They’re selling our personal information to the highest bidder,” Robb says. “It’s very frustrating…that’s why I appreciate Senator Sullivan cosponsoring legislation that will stop these scammers from calling me everywhere I go.”
Because of Sullivan’s work, credit reporting bureaus can no longer sell a homebuyer’s information to mortgage lenders and brokers after they apply for a mortgage; this helps reduce unwanted spam calls, texts, emails, and deceptive solicitations that previously went to people like Robb.
“Please call Senator Sullivan and thank him for protecting our privacy,” Robb tells viewers. “Just once, though,” he adds.
For Thune’s operation, it’s a no-brainer to give Sullivan credit for his work on this legislation. “The American Dream of homeownership shouldn’t mean being inundated with obnoxious spam calls and scams,” Chris Gustafson, One Nation’s Communication Director, told the Reporter. “One Nation thanks Senator Dan S. Sullivan for his leadership in passing the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act.”
One Nation is rolling out other ads, in addition to the one featuring Robb, just as Sullivan faces uncertainty about whether or not another “Dan Sullivan” will appear on the ballot alongside him. Republicans are accusing Democrats of recruiting another “Dan Sullivan” to run for Senate in a bid to confuse voters. The other Sullivan’s ballot status remains up in the air — but as of publication, the incumbent senator will receive a potential bonus on the balloting, where he will be listed as the incumbent.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) scored one of his top recruits of the cycle in former Rep. Mary Peltola (D., Alaska), a career politician who has been one of the Democrats’ top fundraisers this cycle.
