From the May 24 – May 30, 2001 issue

News

Republicans for Sidran

Rich Right-Winger Politicizes Arts Luncheon

by Josh Feit

Attendees at last week's Corporate Council for the Arts (CCA) annual fundraiser are using words like "dumb," "icky," and "jerk" to describe this year's honored guest, Paccar CEO Mark Pigott. There to collect the Lifetime Dedication to the Arts award on behalf of his family, Pigott used the May 16 Sheraton Grand Ballroom luncheon to blast Mayor Paul Schell and hype city attorney-turned-mayoral candidate Mark Sidran. Although he never mentioned either candidate by name, it was clear to all in attendance what the heated Pigott was getting at when he recommended a tough-guy, law-and-order approach to governance.

"Mr. Pigott has one point of view, and he expressed that," said CCA spokesperson Dwight Gee when told that some guests were offended by Pigott's pro-Sidran tirade.

"To go off about the city's public safety policies was beyond not appropriate," says City Council Member Richard Conlin, who attended the lunch. "The content of the comments showed that he clearly didn't know what he was talking about."

It's not surprising that Pigott, who made $1.07 million last year, is a Sidran fan; the trucking company CEO is a bona fide Republican. Last year, as an individual, Pigott donated $1,000 to Slade Gorton, $1,000 to George W. Bush, and $2,500 to Slade Gorton's Northwest Leadership PAC. His company gave $61,000 to Republican congressional candidates (just $8,000 to Democrats) and $5,000 to George W. Bush ($0 to Al Gore). In fact, the Pigott family in general sends a lot of cash in the Republican direction. Hillary Clinton's 2000 opponent, Rick Lazio, and flat-tax guy Steve Forbes are among Pigott family faves.

The Paccar CEO himself has yet to show up on Sidran's contributor list, but Mark "Republican for Mayor" Sidran has only been raising mayoral money since March. When May's data is reported, Pigott's name will probably appear. And while Pigott may be a supporter of Mark Sidran, he won't be a Sidran voter this November: Pigott lives in Bellevue.

josh@thestranger.com