Hypocrisy
Connerly Uses Own Race to Win No-Bid Contracts
Ward Connerly got his start as an influence peddler and political operative with the California Builders Council, now the California Building Industry Association, his first “and for a long time only” client.
Connerly also provided staff services and “policy analysis” in the 1970s to California Building Officials, an industry group.
From 1989 to 1994 Connerly’s received over $1 million in payments from the state energy commission under its special race program by certifying that his company was a minority owned business. Connerly & Associates continued to lobby for the group until April 2006, according to California state records. (“Affirmative Action Critic Used His Minority Status: UC Regent Got No-Bid State Contracts,” San Francisco Chronicle, May 8, 1995.)
Connerly never uses his own success as proof that there is no need for affirmative action because he has benefited from it and unlike women and minorities, his success relies on having a nonprofit slush fund. If only every woman and minority trying to get ahead had a nonprofit like this – we wouldn’t need programs to make sure they get a fair shake.