Clarifying Nader’s Affiliation With Group

To the Editor:

In your article, “Groups Once Tied to Nader Now Steer Clear of Controversial Candidate” (July 22), I did not clearly explain our relationship with Ralph Nader.

When I said that he has nothing to do with us anymore, I meant that he does not hold any formal position with the Alaska Public Interest Research Group and does not serve on our board.

Mr. Nader has donated to AkPIRG and continues to do so. On a recent trip to Alaska, he matched, out of his own pocket, all contributions made to AkPIRG. Many of these donations came from AkPIRG supporters who will not vote for Mr. Nader and do not support his candidacy.

As a 501(c)(3), AkPIRG does not and cannot engage in partisan electoral politics and hence has no position on the candidacy of Mr. Nader, or any other candidate, and AkPIRG is not associated with his campaign.

Mr. Nader has long supported AkPIRG. The nation, and indeed the world, is far better off thanks to the dozens of organizations Ralph Nader has founded and we appreciate his continued support.

Steve Cleary
Director
Alaska Public Interest Research Group
Anchorage