Amazon Pours Another $1M Into Seattle Elections

SEATTLE, WA — Just three weeks from election day Amazon has nearly tripled its spending on this year's races, donating an extra $1 million to a PAC backed by the Chamber of Commerce, according to the Seattle Times. The latest political donation brings Amazon's spending total close to $1.5 million for the Seattle election, far more than any other company has contributed. That money has gone to The Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE), an organization working to elect more moderate, business-friendly city council candidates. CASE has endorsed just one incumbent.

PAC money from several groups has flooded Seattle's election this year, starting in the primaries, as seven city council seats are up for grabs with four incumbents not seeking re-election. Exactly what the latest cash infusion will pay for is not immediately clear, but various PAC groups have already paid for several rounds of TV ads and pamphlets slamming the existing council and criticizing more progressive candidates on the ballot.

Amazon spokesman Aaron Toso sent a statement to media on Tuesday.

"We are contributing to this election because we care deeply about the future of Seattle,” Toso said.

"We believe it is critical that our hometown has a city council that is focused on pragmatic solutions to our shared challenges in transportation, homelessness, climate change and public safety.”

A statement from the Civil Alliance for a Progressive Economy (CAPE) called Amazon's donation part of a "hostile takeover" of local government and an attempt to buy the election.