The Humane Society Seeks to Become Major Political Force

The Humane Society of the United States this year has sought to make sure that on Election Day voters are considering candidates’ records on animal rights, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Wayne Pacelle, the charity’s chief executive officer, began crafting its political operation two years ago. He built two branches of the organization to concentrate solely on electoral campaigns in an effort to avoid any problems with rules that limit charities from partisan politicking.

In the past two years, those branches have spent $3.4-million on Congressional elections and ballots and contributed $150,000 to candidates. The organization has endorsed 300 candidates of both parties and given them money.

For candidates it does not endorse, the Humane Society has created disturbing, graphic advertisements.

Maryland’s Republican governor, Bob Ehrlich, approved the state’s first bear hunt, and the society responded by airing television spots featuring images of dead bears.

Some candidates have said they think the Humane Society has taken such extreme views that it has turned off voters, the newspaper says.

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