Reply #15: More on Blue Dog Mike Ross (D-AR) from OpenSecrets.Org

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From OpenSecrets.Org (outstanding resource)
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/09/real-estate-transaction-with-p.html


We did our own investigation of Ross' ties to the health care sector. Here's what we found:

* In 2007, Ross was worth between $782,018 and $1.8 million and listed a few health-related assets on his personal financial disclosure forms. This includes between $500,001 and $1 million invested in Ross Pharmacy.
* Ross has collected $992,500 from the health care sector since he was elected in 2000, making it his second largest contributing sector, after labor.
* Among Blue Dogs, Ross ranks No. 3 in contributions from the health sector to his candidate committee and leadership PAC and No. 9 in donations from pharmaceutical and health product companies.
* At $602,800, health care professionals have given more to Ross' candidate committees than any other industry since the 2000 election cycle.
* Ross' former chief of staff, Drew Goesl, is now a principal for Capitol Counsel, which lobbies for pharmaceutical companies Amgen and AstraZeneca PLC and industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (better known as PhRMA), among other health-related companies.
* LaFrance has given largely to Republicans over the years. At least two other Democrats, in addition to Ross, have collected money from LaFrance, and both are senators from Arkansas: Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor.