At its annual fundraising dinner last week, the Business Council of Alabama treated members to a conversation with special guest Kirk Herbstreit and, of course, Peter the Labrador, who is always by the famed announcer’s side, whether in the booth or on the field.
But the dinner wasn’t just about fundraising and football. BCA’s leadership announced a fundamental change to its political arm, known for decades as Progress PAC.
That political arm will now be known as WORK PAC, BCA CEO Helena Duncan and Chairman Kevin Savoy announced to members gathered in Birmingham. The rebranding is meant to more closely align the business lobby’s outward facing mission with the evolving nature of the business community itself, they said.
“Several years ago, we set out with an ambitious goal: To completely redefine what our PAC could be,” Duncan said while unveiling the new logo . “We didn’t want to simply write checks. We wanted to build relationships. We wanted to be strategic in our investments. We wanted to be a true partner to the candidates we support.
“A new name, a stronger identity, and an even greater commitment to the people, businesses, and jobs that power Alabama’s economy,” she said. “Four years from now, I want to stand on this stage and tell you that WorkPAC has become the largest political action committee in the state of Alabama.”
As of last week, BCA’s PAC had $2.9 million cash on hand after contributing heavily to its endorsed candidates and spending on polling and voter outreach efforts leading up to the Nov. 3 election. That’s according to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State’s office.
Some of its recent contributions include $25,000 a piece to the campaigns of House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger and $10,000 to Birmingham Democratic Senate Candidate Alicia Escott Lumpkin. The group has also come in late to support campaigns seen to be in need of a late boost, including those of State Sens. John Roberts, R-Huntsville, Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, and Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road.