WASHINGTON-After struggling to line up a new president whose conservative politics align with the GOP-controlled Congress, top lobbyists at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association are actively rounding up scores of donations for Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) presidential campaign.
Among fundraisers bringing in $50,000 to $100,000, according to the Kerry presidential campaign, are outgoing CTIA President Thomas Wheeler and association lobbyist Chris Putala.
Former Rep. Steve Largent (R-Okla.), who had one of the most conservative voting records in the House during the 1990s, takes over the reigns at CTIA Nov. 3.
It is unclear whether money gathered by Wheeler and Putala for Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid came from employees of the cellular industry trade group. CTIA, which is sponsoring a trade show in Las Vegas this week, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
