Dive summary:
- Amid the noise about the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Tom Wheeler is standing out as a frontrunner.
- This week, Wheeler received backing from 11 public interest advocates and former government officials; in a letter to the president the officials praised the former cable lobbyist and venture capitalist as someone with an "open mind and intelligent take" on the challenges the FCC chief will face.
- The lettter, sent on April 9, is a counter to the letter spearheaded by Senate commerce chairman Jay Rockefeller and supporting commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.
From the article:
"Among the Wheeler supporters, one that stood out was Susan Crawford, an Obama former tech policy advisor and an oft-mentioned contender for the FCC herself. Also throwing support behind Wheeler was Andy Schwartzman, the former president of the Media Access Project, who led the fights against loosening the FCC's media ownership rules.
Wheeler's other big advantage is his fundraising for Obama. According to the Obama campaign, Wheeler raised between $200,000 and $500,000 for the president's re-election. "