Romney Leads GOP Field in Big Companies’ Money

Thursday, 27 Oct 2011 04:10 PM
By Henry J. Reske

Washington lobbyists who represent some the world’s largest companies are contributing heavily to Republican presidential candidates. So far, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has done the best, pulling in about $200,000, a Washington Post examination of records showed.

More than 100 registered lobbyists have contributed to Romney campaign, according to the Post’s study of donor and lobbying records. In addition, a team of lobbyist fundraisers have bundled almost $1 million for the campaign of the former equity fund executive.

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, brought in about $72,000 from 42 lobbyists through September, plus an additional $77,000 that a banker bundled. Other GOP candidates who have gotten contributions from lobbyists include Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum.

Republicans are hoping to use contributions from lobbyists and corporate political action committees to offset President Barack Obama’s fundraising prowess. GOP donations have come from lobbyists who represent technology firms and the oil industry, the Post reported.

“I was a Republican before I was a lobbyist,â€