Governors associations boast record fundraising totals

The Republican and Democratic governors associations have set records with their latest fundraising figures, according to the two organizations.

Filings with the IRS show that the RGA raised $58 million between Jan. 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, and that the DGA raised $40 million during the same period.

The GOP's edge was particularly evident in the second quarter, when the RGA announced it had raised $18.9 million to the Democrats' $9.1 million.

Still, Democrats note their three campaign committees have outraised the GOP's.

At the end of May, the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had a combined $60.1 million to spend, compared with the $42.7 million on hand for their GOP counterparts.

Thirty-seven governorships are on the ballot this year. Democrats currently hold 26.

Observers note that these races — while not as visible as House and Senate contests — represent a significant battleground for the two parties since the victors will control post-census redistricting efforts.

The governors associations may take unlimited contributions from corporations.

The GOP's biggest corporate donor was New York media conglomerate News Corp., home of Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. The company donated $1 million to the organization in June.

Meanwhile, Democrats' biggest donations came from labor associations. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees gave $3.3 million, and the Service Employees International Union gave $1.1 million.