STAR*PAC

                  Stop The Arms Race Political Action Committee

 

STAR*PAC History

STAR*PAC (Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee of Iowa) was founded in 1980 in Des Moines. STAR*PAC is dedicated to political action against war. Established at the peak of the Cold War, amid a perilous and costly nuclear weapons race; STAR*PAC continues advocacy against the arms race and exorbitant military spending, and tackles many other foreign and military policy issues.

STAR*PAC works to raise fundamental issues of war and peace, especially in Congressional elections and the pivotal Iowa Presidential Caucuses. We help educate and mobilize Iowans on peace issues, and actively support candidates who are dedicated to peace. In past elections, STAR*PAC has focused on war and peace issues at individual and all-candidate forums, submitted and published candidate responses to questionnaires on peace issues, and worked to elect the strongest peace candidates. STAR*PAC has endorsed candidates, sponsored speaking tours featuring nationally-known foreign policy experts and peace leaders, organized media campaigns, and mobilized voters.

The small group of Iowans who assembled in 1980 sought to form a political action arm for the peace community with some of the characteristics of PACs for teachers, labor, and other constituencies. From this handful of dedicated peace political activists, STAR*PAC has grown to several hundred supporters throughout Iowa.

STAR*PAC undertakes political action for peace by working for those candidates we endorse. We have supported many candidates for the U.S. House and Senate, in the Presidential Caucuses and general election.

In 1984, STAR*PAC helped elect Iowa Tom Harkin to the U.S. Senate. Harkin said: "STAR*PAC played one of the most instrumental roles to my being elected to the U.S. Senate." (See more from Harkin, below.)

In 1988, the last time both parties had wide-open primaries, STAR*PAC conducted an all-candidate forum for all the Democratic candidates at historic Hoyt Sherman Place Theater in Des Moines, broadcast live statewide on Iowa Public Television and covered by scores of national and international media organizations.

Over the years, STAR*PAC has assisted Iowa Congressional candidates, worked to influence and mobilize public opinion, and raised war and peace issues in caucus campaigns. In the 2006 Congressional elections in Iowa, STAR*PAC submitted questionnaires and publicized answers, examined candidates positions, hosted national speakers on tours around Iowa, endorsed candidates, ran radio ads and did phone banking for endorsed candidates.

Comments About STAR*PAC

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (Iowa)

"I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that I would not be in the United States Senate today had it not been for STAR*PAC. Not just the money they provided, but the help they provided, the focusing on those issues that were important and by reaching out through churches and synagogues and community groups throughout the state of Iowa. STAR*PAC played one of the most instrumental roles to me being elected to the U.S. Senate."

Former U.S. Rep. Berkley Bedell (Iowa)

"My hat is off to the people who have sparked the formation and growth of STAR*PAC. The organizers of this organization saw the opportunity to use the political process to move elected officials towards an end to the arms race and a more peaceful world; I saw them work as a Congressman and as chairman of a presidential campaign. They are effective. STAR*PAC gives each of us an opportunity through our contributions and our efforts to have some real influence on who will be the political leaders who make the decisions which will stop or expand the arms race and head us towards a more peaceful world."

Former Sen. George McGovern (SD)

"STAR*PAC is tremendously important in mobilizing the peace sentiment in Iowa … that’s an enormous factor in American politics. I think this is still the underlying cutting issue particularly in a national campaign. . . There is no question that STAR*PAC has a significant role to play in the selection of presidential nominees, it can make a difference in close Senate races, House races, gubernatorial races. Active committed people do vote, they do Caucus, they do talk, they do influence, they do educate, and they play an enormously important role on this central issue of our time -- the great issue of peace."

The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

"STAR*PAC has done a terrific job in Iowa, terrific job in education, terrific job in helping Tom Harkin. We need in every Congressional District a group of people with great empathy, intelligence, and sufficient dedication . . . . to keep a constant endeavor going to educate themselves and fellow Americans and to keep their Congressman’s feet to the fire."

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Edgar (PA), and Common Cause President

"STAR*PAC’s role in the ’86 primary race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania was especially helpful, particularly in the radio commercials that were produced. These commercials were helpful in letting people know that Bob Edgar was strong on arms control and strong on the peace issues. In the primary we stood against great odds, without having the party endorsement and being the candidate standing on the sidelines saying, ‘Hey, you really need to have a different vision of the future -- the future of the world,’ and in that STAR*PAC played an enormous role."

STAR * PAC

Our political mission – plowshares from the war machine.

P.O. Box 561 – Des Moines, Iowa 50302

(515) 282-8054

  This Page was Last Updated On: 12 /10/2012