Here’s what the research shows.
Both are part of the Echols PAC network — a cluster of PACs run by Tuscaloosa political consultant Michael Echols. Pride PAC I and Pride PAC II are two of roughly six interconnected PACs he operates (others include Cash PAC, ET PAC, CMG PAC II, T-Town PAC II, Leadership PAC).
Pride PAC II is the better-documented one — officially aimed at promoting “fiscally conservative candidates.”
Key things to know:
• Of the nearly $1.7 million given by Pride PAC over 13 years of operation, only $157,000 went to Democratic candidates — the vast majority went to Republicans.
• Gov. Kay Ivey, AG Steve Marshall, Secretary of State John Merrill, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and former Gov. Robert Bentley are among the prominent Republicans who have received contributions from the two PACs.
• Top contributors to Pride PAC II include Angus Capital Corp., Cunningham Bounds LLC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, and Hare Wynn Newell & Newton.
The controversy: The Echols PAC chain received $200,000 from George Soros, which created political friction — even though the PACs had long donated to both parties, and prominent Republicans like Ivey accepted over $100,000 from the same PAC network.
