Michael’s PAC to Target Pro-Terri Schiavo Lawmakers Raises $10K

Bioethics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 13, 2006   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Michael’s PAC to Target Pro-Terri Schiavo Lawmakers Raises $10K Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 13, 2006

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) — The political action committee that Michael Schiavo formed to get retribution against pro-life lawmakers who supported Terri’s parents’ efforts to prevent their daughter’s euthanasia death has finally filed its financial forms with the FEC.

The new papers, which the FEC posted on its web site days after a LifeNews.com article saying they were delinquent, shows the PAC has raised $10,392.12. The donations mostly came during a November fundraising drive.

The political group has just over $6,500 in its bank account after spending nearly $4,000 on fundraising and other expenses.

Derek Newton, a Democratic campaign activist, received the bulk of the money disbursed with payments for putting the PAC’s web site together, and payments to Newton’s firm the November Group, for advertising and promotions.

The PAC has received donations from just 58 people, but two large donations from Paul Crothers of Freemont, California ($1,000) and Bert Pluymer of Austin, Texas ($500) brought in almost 15 percent of the group’s total.

After filing an organizational statement with the FEC, the national elections office responded with a request for more information and asked TerriPAC treasurer, Michael’s brother Brian Schiavo, to respond by January 20.

The web site indicates no response has been filed.

"Failure to provide an adequate response by this date may result in an audit of the committee," the FEC wrote Brian. The nonresponse could also trigger "enforcement action" against the committee.

The donation totals were due to the FEC by January 31 and they appear to have been postmarked January 30.

TerriPAC hasn’t registered with the Florida Division of Elections and could face fines as a result.

Meanwhile, pro-life advocates have created a new political action committee that will support lawmakers who backed Terri’s right to live.

William Greene, president of the RightMarch, a conservative political group, says his organization has founded Terri’s List, and that it will counteract the efforts of Michael’s TerriPAC.

"We’ll match ‘TerriPAC’ dollar for dollar, ad for ad if we have to," Greene told the Cybercast News Service. "We cannot simply sit by and allow solid, pro-life politicians to be targeted by the pro-death forces."

"The right to life is enshrined in our Constitution — it’s not some regulation to be implemented or law to be interpreted one way or the other," Greene added. "With ‘Terri’s List, we can stand up for that principle and fight back against those who would see it destroyed."

Terri’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her family have not used their fame from the international controversy generated over Michael’s efforts to take her life to promote candidates for office. Instead, they are using their foundation, first established to save her life, to help other vulnerable disabled persons.

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo’s family – https://www.terrisfight.org