Allied PAC Fuels Hurtt’s Political Drive

If state Sen. Rob Hurtt is the Republican Party’s king of campaigns these days, then Allied Business PAC is the money behind the throne.

In his election battles against the Democrats, Hurtt can count on the financial clout of the 2-year-old political action committee he helped form with a threesome of wealthy Southern California businessmen who share his firm religious beliefs.

The group first made headlines by backing a broad slate of conservatives that clobbered moderate Republican candidates backed by Gov. Pete Wilson in the June, 1992, primary. By the end of the year, Allied had poured $1.2 million into legislative races, outspending such well-entrenched special interests as trial lawyers and the insurance industry.

Along with Hurtt, the original members are Howard Ahmanson, a wealthy Newport Beach philanthropist; Edward G. Atsinger III of Camarillo, part-owner of 18 Christian radio stations throughout the country; and Roland Hinz of Mission Hills, publisher of dirt-bike magazines. In recent months, Rich Riddle of Arcadia, owner of a folding-box company, has come aboard.

These days, Hurtt is no longer a voting member of the Allied board but frequently attends the group’s monthly meetings, discussing strategy and updating them on events in the state Capitol. Hurtt contends that he has no control over the way Allied doles out money.

But members of Allied don’t hesitate to tell Hurtt what they think.

“Everyone associated with our group sees it as their duty to ride herd on him to make sure he doesn’t become part of the machine,” said Roberta Ahmanson, wife of the group’s media-shy co-founder. “I think Rob is trying real hard to maintain his ideals.”

Indeed, the group is mostly happy with Hurtt. If his free-enterprise acumen and feisty character have rubbed some liberals the wrong way, that’s great. “He’s used to speaking his mind,” Roberta Ahmanson said. “He’s a straight shooter.”

Privately, some Republicans complain about blunders they feel Hurtt and Allied have made. Among them--initially backing an insurance industry lobbyist for a suburban Sacramento Assembly seat eventually won by Barbara Alby (R-Fair Oaks). Others question why Hurtt weighed in heavily on behalf of Republican Joe Ghougassian in a losing Senate fight against San Diego Democrat Steve Peace last December.

During 1992-93, Allied poured money into nearly three dozen Senate or Assembly campaigns, winning in about half.

Of late, Hurtt has gotten flack from fellow Republicans over primary endorsements in his home turf of Orange County. In particular, Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) was irate when he heard that Hurtt and Ahmanson had endorsed Irvine Councilman Barry J. Hammond for the assemblyman’s seat.