Pence uses D.C. profile to collect big donations

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence is using his national profile to expand his fundraising base well beyond Indiana's borders and establish an early lead in the money race for governor.

Donors ranging from the wife of an Arizona Diamondbacks owner to a former Republican candidate for governor of New York have helped Pence bring in $478,000 in so-called large donations from out-of-state backers so far this year.

That out-of-state support has accelerated since the close of the last campaign filing period at the end of June, with national donors giving $248,000 in large donations compared with $190,000 from in-state supporters.

The state elections board requires candidates to disclose donations of $10,000 or more immediately, giving an early peek at who is placing their bets on Pence. The next complete campaign finance report is not due from the candidates until Jan. 15.

Democrat John Gregg, meanwhile, has collected $50,000 in large contributions from three donors, including a $10,000 check from the United Food and Commercial Workers in Washington. Republican primary candidate Jim Wallace has recorded no large contributions to his campaign aside from close to $1 million he loaned himself earlier this year.

But it is Pence who has built the biggest name within national conservative circles. Many conservative activists are still smarting after he announced in January he would not run for president. Democrats, however, have used his national profile as a political cudgel, alleging that he plans to use the governor's office as a "way station" on the road to the White House in 2016.

Pence says the national interest in his campaign derives in equal parts from frustration with an inability to push changes through Washington and the view that Indiana has become the "fiscal envy of the nation" under Gov. Mitch Daniels' watch. Daniels is term-limited against seeking re-election.

"A lot of people around the country are deeply frustrated with Washington and believe the states hold the key to really restoring our economy and restoring fiscal responsibility," he told The Associated Press.

Pence built a strong network first as chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee in Congress and later as a top-ranking member of then-House Minority Leader John Boehner's leadership team.

Randy Kendrick, wife of Diamondbacks' owner Ken Kendrick and a national supporter of conservative causes, said she gave $15,000 to Pence after he called her directly and asked for her support. She learned about Pence through Republican Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake and former Rep. John Shadegg and is a fan of Indiana's sweeping education changes and focus on limiting government.

She's tracked Pence's record on the national stage since he became a congressman more than a decade ago. His congressional record and connections he built with Arizona lawmakers while in Washington secured her support.

"You build up a record over many, many years," Kendrick said. "Action speaks louder than words."

Lewis Lehrman, the Republican Party's 1982 nominee for governor of New York and an ardent supporter of putting the U.S. monetary system back on the gold standard, sent Pence $25,000.

Lehrman called Pence "one of the most promising, experienced, principled pro-growth candidates in America" in an e-mail to The Associated Press but did not answer further questions about his support for Pence. A project started by Lehrman called "The Gold Standard Now" points to a national speech he gave to the Detroit Economic Forum last year at which he said the idea should be "debated."

John W. Childs, an East Coast investment banker living in Florida, cut the largest check for Pence thus far: $50,000. Calls to his Boston-based investment firm were not returned. Childs is also a contributor to the conservative Club For Growth, which has played in Indiana this year with television ads blasting U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. It is run by former Republican Rep. Chris Chocola.

The big donations mean Pence's opponents "have their work cut out for them, but it's not insurmountable," said Edwin Bender, executive director for the website FollowtheMoney.org, which tracks national spending in state contests.

Candidates looking to build an early base of support will often visit party leaders in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., before developing their networks in their respective states, he said. Flexing that fundraising muscle early is usually enough to scare off most primary challengers, he said.

Pence trekked to New York last week to meet with real estate magnate and reality television star Donald Trump about the Indiana governor's race. Pence would only say it was a good meeting. A Trump spokesman did not return messages seeking comment.

Pence contributors may have the best idea right now of the agenda he would push as governor. Pence has been sparing on policy details on the campaign trail thus far, but he has told supporters at high-dollar fundraisers in Washington he will "stake his election" on "right-to-work" legislation.

Pence says he has long supported "right to work" but is waiting to see what Indiana lawmakers do next year before saying what his plans are.

The highly divisive issue sparked a five-week walkout by House Democrats earlier this year and has already cast a cloud over the 2012 session. Republican leaders in the state have not said yet whether they will push the issue when lawmakers return in January or instead wait until after the 2012 elections.