The coalition fighting the Costco-backed liquor-privatization initiative looks like it has found a benefactor.
The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America contributed more than $3.6 million this month to the Initiative 1183 opposition, which also includes unions, public safety groups and small grocery stores.
Alcohol distributors were also the main source of money that helped defeat a 2010 privatization measure, but it was mostly from the beer industry – which also has members opposing I-1183 but hasn’t yet spent money.
Authors of this year’s initiative say it was carefully drawn to avoid affecting beer. But it does allow wineries to bypass distributors and sell directly to restaurants or retailers like Costco, a provision that has drawn support from a group of local wineries but opposition from the distributors.
On the supporters’ side, Costco has provided most of the $2.4 million raised.
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