Unlike the national political parties and federal candidates, the governors’ associations can take in unlimited amounts from corporations, and companies are showing their interest. News Corp., the media company controlled by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch, gave the RGA $1 million in June. Wellpoint Inc., the biggest U.S. health insurer, contributed a total of $500,000 to the Republican group. Republicans, fueled by record fundraising, are poised to win most of the state governorships in November, which would give them an advantage in congressional redistricting and a new pool of talent for national office. “The Republican Party was not going to be rebuilt out of Washington,” said Mike Schrimpf, an RGA spokesman. “Our party has always fared best when our leaders came from the states.” The Republicans’ biggest corporate donor was New York-based News Corp. Teri Everett, a spokeswoman, said the company “actively supports organizations that advocate a pro-job, low tax, economic growth agenda.” News Corp. opposes proposed federal rule changes that would weaken the position of its Fox network in negotiations with cable companies. Governors may have a stake in the issue. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-16/republicans-set-for-gains-in-u-s-govern… added by: jeffissleeping
