RGA Sets First Quarter Fundraising Record

The Republican Governors Association raised $12.2 million in the first quarter of 2012, a $5 million, or 70 percent, increase over its first quarter fundraising totals from 2008, the last comparable election year.

The RGA’s fundraising haul even surpassed the amount it raised in the first quarter of 2010, when 37 governors’ races were taking place.  There are 12 governors’ races taking place this year.

The DGA reported raising $8 million, just $2 million more than in 2008. For the election cycle beginning in January 2011, the RGA has raised more than $56 million compared to $28 million for the DGA.

The RGA also reported $34 million cash on hand, the most money it’s ever had in the bank at the end of a first quarter.  The RGA has increased its cash on hand total by more than $30 million over the previous twelve months.

“Thanks to the hard work of every Republican governor, the RGA is in financial position to expand our majority and have a significant impact on the 2012 elections,” said RGA Chairman Bob McDonnell.  “Many of our races will occur in critical Presidential and Senate battlegrounds, and the RGA has strong gubernatorial candidates in all of our targeted states.”

“The RGA’s fundraising success is a product of the results-oriented conservative leadership provided by Republican governors,” McDonnell added.  “Republican governors are delivering balanced budgets while holding the line on taxes, tackling unfunded liabilities, and reforming education.”

“Most importantly, Republican governors are creating pro-growth environments in their states, and as a result, Republican-led states are adding more jobs than states with Democratic governors,” McDonnell said.

First Quarter Financial Summary

Raised          Cash on Hand

2012:               $12.2 M           $34 M

2011:               $5.4 M             $3.5 M

2010:               $9.1 M             $31.2 M

2009:               $5.0 M             $16.6 M

2008:               $7.1 M             $13.3 M

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