U.S. Chamber’s TV ads to back Lingle

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has made a significant television advertising purchase in Hawaii backing former Gov. Linda Lingle for U.S. Senate, the first in what could be a torrent of mainland political spending on the campaign.

The two-week television buy describes the Republican as a bipartisan leader who will promote travel and tourism. The chamber would not immediately disclose how much it invested in the ads, but sources estimate that it is roughly $100,000.

The ads are known as independent expenditures, which are not coordinated with a candidate’s campaign but can focus on issues that benefit a candidate.

"Hawaii’s voters need to know where each candidate stands on issues impacting the economy. Linda Lingle is a bipartisan lawmaker with a plan to create jobs," Thomas Donohue, the U.S. Chamber’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "The chamber’s ad highlights Linda’s belief that America’s economy will only recover when Democrats and Republicans work together. In Hawaii, this means working together to promote travel and tourism in order to create jobs."

Many political analysts believe the Hawaii Senate campaign will receive national attention because it could be among the races that decide the balance of political power in the Senate.

Lingle is running against John Carroll, an attorney and former state lawmaker, in the Republican primary.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former congressman Ed Case are the Democratic contenders to replace U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who is retiring.

The U.S. Chamber described the ads as part of its largest effort ever on voter education and mobilization before elections.

Lingle said she appreciated the recognition.

"The resources they have put behind my campaign is a reflection of my proven record of supporting small businesses as the backbone of our local economy," she said in an email. "I understand their message also highlights my support for the visitor industry. I have laid out a clear plan for enhancing tourism’s role as an economic driver for our state and the nation.

"I look forward to seeing the spot once it is on the air."

In the Democratic primary campaign for Senate between Case and Akaka in 2006, the U.S. Chamber financed automated telephone calls in Hawaii on behalf of Case, a moderate the chamber considered better on small business and economic issues. The Federal Election Commission later admonished the group for using corporate money to fund the calls — at the time a violation of federal election law — and for not including language in the messages listing the chamber’s street address, telephone number or Web address. The business federation also failed to state that the calls were not authorized by Case.

Case said Wednesday that his attention is on the primary against Hirono.

"The only election I’m in now is the Aug. 11th primary with Mazie and all voters will be able to decide then which of us they want to face Linda in the general," he said in a text message.

Betsy Lin, Hirono’s campaign manager, noted that the U.S. Chamber has endorsed the congresswoman’s bill to ease visa restrictions and help more tourists from China and Canada come to the United States.

"That’s why business leaders across Hawaii are supporting Mazie’s efforts, because they know this bill will help increase the number of Chinese, Canadian and other visitors to Hawaii and help create an estimated 6,000 new jobs," Lin said.