More Clinton endorsers have business links to campaign
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Two more black South Carolina lawmakers are endorsing U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign, and they also have ties to a media consulting firm hired by the White House hopeful, according to a published report.

State Reps. David Mack and Terry Alexander operate offshoots of Sunrise Communication of Columbia, which is owned by influential state Sen. Darrell Jackson. Jackson said last week he would endorse Clinton, and then revealed that his firm was being paid $10,000 a month to help get her South Carolina operation off the ground.

Both Jackson and the Clinton campaign have denied a connection between his endorsement and the contract.

The State of Columbia reported in Thursday's newspapers that Mack and Alexander were endorsing Clinton. Both men said the support had nothing to do with the Clinton contract with Sunrise of Columbia.

Jackson said the two men approached him several years ago about opening Sunrise operations in other parts of the state. He also said they are not involved with the Clinton contract.

"They're not even part of the whole Clinton thing I'm doing," Jackson said. "David and I and Terry have had business relationships, and we still do, but, no, they are not working for the Clinton campaign."

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said there is no business connection between the campaign and Mack and Alexander.

"Our contract is with Sunrise Columbia and Sen. Jackson, and that's it," he said.