The SEIU, Ward Crutchfield, and Ron Littlefield
According to official campaign filings (available at tennesseeanytime.org), from 2003-2007 Ward Crutchfield received tens of thousands of dollars from labor unions and labor union related PACs. This is unsurprising. Given the traditional alliance between labor unions and the Democratic party, and also given that Ward Crutchfield was considered untouchable and likely to remain in power until he died or retired, it was pay him or no-one (and we all know Ward likes to get paid).
Of interest to local blogs and in the Times Free Press) has been the relationship of the Service Employees International Union to former State Senator and felon Ward Crutchfield and the current Mayor of Chattanooga, Ron Littlefield. Ward Crutchfield implies in the transcript between himself and Charles Love that he introduced the SEIU to Ron Littlefield, and Ron claims he "doesn't remember" where and when he became partners with the SEIU.
Ward himself was certainly financially familiar with the SEIU, having received $500 from them for his 2004 campaign (State Rep Tommie Brown received $250). Ron Littlefield was the largest beneficiary, receiving $10,000 from SEIU. All parties may have received more money indirectly from the SEIU, as it's very difficult for me to piece together what PACs are SEIU pacs, and there are a lot of labor-related PACs!
Even if Ward introduced the SEIU to Ron, it certain doesn't constitute anything illegal. It just further brings to light the truth that we already know: effectively, political influence can be bought legally, and Ward Crutchfield was very much in the business of selling (and buying) political influence. In this case, it just so happened to be the support of his Chosen Candidate Ron Littlefield for City workers unionizing.
More on Ward's financial network and his "Political Posse" to come.
Chattanooga Politics | By Josiah Roe | 9:23 PM
