WASHINGTON - A wealthy Texas home builder who helped finance the anti-John Kerry Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004 contributed $7 million to American Crossroads, making him the top contributor to one of the main groups dedicated to helping Republicans win control of Congress.
The donor, Bob J. Perry of Houston, donated the money over the past six weeks, single-handedly accounting for nearly half of the group's fundraising in 43 days.
Donald Trump also contributed to the group, though hardly as generously. The New York celebrity real estate developer gave $50,000. Robert Rowling, a Texas Republican donor and chief executive of a company whose holdings include Omni Hotels, and his holding company have donated a total of $4.8 million.
American Crossroads reported the contributions in documents prepared for filing with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday.
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Overall, the American Crossroads reports show a total fundraising of $15 million over 43 days. As of Oct. 13, the group had raised $24.1 million this year.
American Crossroads and its affiliate, Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, were formed this year with help from GOP guru Karl Rove to help supplement the Republican Party's efforts during this year's midterm elections.
Unlike its sister organization, which is organized as a political group, Crossroads GPS is a nonprofit, tax-exempt group that does not have to disclose its donors. Together, the two groups aim to raise $65 million for the election.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee raised $17 million in September and entered the final weeks of the election campaign with $13.2 million in the bank, a party official said.
The DNC has consistently outraised the Republican National Committee, providing a financial bulwark for Democrats as they face a difficult midterm election.
The RNC was expected to report raising $9.7 million for September. Republican-allied groups such as American Crossroads have made up for weak party fundraising, collecting money in unlimited amounts and spending it in key battleground races.
Probe of McCain?
PHOENIX - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee asked regulators Wednesday to investigate Sen. John McCain for alleged campaign finance violations. They claim his campaign illegally paid for ads advocating for two Republican candidates in Southern Arizona.
The group said McCain illegally coordinated with the campaigns of Ruth McClung and Jesse Kelly. McClung is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, while Kelly is challenging Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
The McCain campaign says it didn't coordinate with the campaigns. It said the $92,000 spent on each ad was an independent expenditure allowed under the rules and disclosed to the secretary of the Senate.
The group asked the Federal Election Commission for an investigation.
