Christie-led U.S. governors group raises $26.6 million in second quarter

The Republican Governors Association, a group led by possible presidential hopeful Chris Christie, will announce Thursday that it raised $26.6 million in the second quarter of 2014.

The large haul - the group's biggest-ever second quarter number - means that embattled New Jersey Governor Christie has maintained his fundraising prowess while facing national scrutiny for his role in the "Bridgegate" scandal.

Christie has brought in $60 million since taking the helm of the group in November 2013, a signal to backers of his possible White House bid that he may be capable of raising the considerable funds required to run a national campaign despite the scandal.

The group, which is dedicated to helping elect Republican governors in the 36 ongoing governors' races, will also announce it has $70.3 million cash on hand.

"The RGA has never been in such a strong financial position," Christie says in the press release.

Four years ago, the RGA had $40 million in cash on hand, raising $19 million in the second quarter. At the time it was led by then-Mississippi governor Haley Barbour, another famously effective fundraiser.

Christie was widely considered the Republicans' best shot at reclaiming the White House when he easily won re-election in Democratic-leaning New Jersey in 2013. But the January news that his aides allegedly orchestrated a traffic jam for political payback hit his national standing.

Still, Christie has been raising money for and appearing with governors across the country.

(Reporting by Gabriel Debenedetti; editing by Andrew Hay)

Popular posts from this blog

Model Stella Tennant dies 'suddenly' aged 50 as her family pay tribute to 'wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all'

Best Online MBBS Colleges in the USA

ALL ABOUT CAR INSURANCE: