Cortright Wetherill Jr. (with Janice)
March 5, 2001 Cortright Wetherill Jr. made so many campaign contributions during the last election cycle, he made his company a political force to be reckoned with. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Devon Hill Motors ranked fourth among car dealerships whose owners and employees gave to political parties and their candidates. All but $4,000 of the contributions were made by Wetherill -- and every penny went to the GOP. Wetherill made some of his $288,550 in contributions through Americans for Free International Trade, a political action committee that represents import-brand car dealers like Devon Hill, which sells BMWs and Volkswagens. He also gave directly to George W. Bush, whose campaign pledges read like a car dealer's wish list: an end to the inheritance tax, limits on lawsuits against negligent corporations, and looser federal standards for workplace safety. Bush also took a stance on trade sure to warm the heart of an import dealer like Wetherill. "We'll be prosperous if we embrace free trade," Bush said in announcing his candidacy. "I'll work to end tariffs and break down barriers everywhere, entirely, so the whole world trades in freedom." -- Pam Smith | | |
