JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Mead Treadwell on Thursday announced that he had parted ways with his campaign manager, a decision that a spokesman said will help free up the campaign’s finances.
Treadwell, in a statement, called the departure of Adam Jones one of the toughest decisions of his campaign so far.
In addition to Jones’ departure, Treadwell’s statement said Rick Gorka, who has been part of his communications team, also was leaving.
Jones said by email that it’s “no secret the campaign has struggled to raise money.” But he said he’s proud of the organization that’s been put together and proud of the work that Gorka has done for the campaign.
“But bills need to be paid and the campaign will be in a better financial position with Rick and I off payroll,” Jones wrote. “I adore Mead and wish him the best of luck.”
Campaign spokesman Fred Brown said the change in the campaign “frees up Mead to do a lot more things around the state.” Asked if it was a money issue, he said, “Yeah, it frees up our finances.”
Treadwell, who currently serves as Alaska’s lieutenant governor, reported bringing in close to $230,000 during the fourth quarter of 2013. He reported ending the year with about $95,000 on hand. He also reported debts or obligations of about $140,000, including a $50,000 loan he’d made the campaign earlier.
Brown said if the focus is on Alaska donors, “there’s a limit to what you can raise essentially but we also want Alaskan donors. That’s who we want donating to us. So it’s a give and take at that point.”
He said Treadwell has a very strong campaign staff and an organizational structure across Alaska.
Treadwell said long-time friend and national finance chair Peter Christensen was taking over day-to-day leadership of the campaign until a new manager is named.
“By restructuring our campaign, I know our campaign will be in a stronger position to make Mark Begich a one-term Senator,” he said.
Begich, a Democrat, is seeking re-election this year.
Other high-profile Republicans vying for that party’s nomination are Dan Sullivan, a former state attorney general and natural resources commissioner, and Joe Miller, the 2010 GOP nominee in the Senate race won in a write-in campaign by Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
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