BOSTON A Massachusetts research collaborative looking into the causes and treatment of autism is the first beneficiary of an unusual deal struck by U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and his Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren to discourage third-party campaign ads.
Warren on Friday chose the Autism Consortium to receive a donation from Brown under the agreement signed by both candidates in January.
The deal dubbed the Peoples Pledge by both campaigns is designed to blunt the influence of negative attack ads in what is shaping up to be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts history.
Under the deal, each candidate has agreed to contribute 50 percent of the cost of a third-party ad to a charity named by the other candidate. The deal covers radio, television and online ads.
The Coalition of Americans for Political Equality, a political action committee that supports Brown, violated the terms of the agreement between the two candidates when it posted an online ad backing the Massachusetts Republican.
The organization describes itself on its website as a nonprofit organization that supports candidates with conservative values.
Brown quickly said he would make a contribution to the charity of Warrens choice.
Under the terms of the deal, Brown was only on the hook for about $337, but instead decided to write a $1,000 check.
The deal was agreed to by Warren and Brown after both became the target of ads from outside political advocacy groups last year.
Both candidates have already raked in millions in campaign donations.
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Pol's loss is autism group gain