The American Association of Publishers PAC

In 1973 the American Association of Publishers (AAP), headquartered in New York City, opened a Washington office and hired its first lobbyist. Months later the AAP Political Action Committee (AAP-PAC) was formed to develop a “visual presence” on Capitol Hill. ¹ Over the past nineteen years, the AAP’s lobbying efforts and PAC contributions have been integrated and directed by one woman, Diane Rennert. Although the influence of a small trade/membership PAC may be limited in scope, the organization of the AAP-PAC sheds light on the ability of a small number of people to use pooled contributions in a way that effects policy change for an organization’s benefit.