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Sen. Candidate Smith a Heavyweight GOP Donor

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Earlier today, Tea Party leader and mining industry veteran Tom Smith told PoliticsPA that he was willing and able to give his campaign a financial boost.

“I have some money,” he said, “and I’m willing to put that in there to get it started and off the ground, and see if we can get traction and see if people come to the cause.”

A review of his past campaign contributions backs up the claim.

Smith, who sold his 100,000 tons per month coal mining operation last year, has contributed over $185,000 to a variety of Republican candidates over the past decade. The number includes contributions from his wife Saundra, Smith met annual contribution limits to federal candidates.

The only time he’s stepped off the reservation appears to be 2009 when he contributed $2,400 to Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-4), a strong congressional supporter of coal production.

Smith and a champion Steer that he bought at the Dayton fair in 2007. Courtesy of the Smith campaign.

Here are some of the highlights:

$35,000 to PA House Republican campaign committees, plus $20,000 to PA HRCC Chair State Rep. Dave Reed.

$24,500 to Governor Tom Corbett.

$21,250 to the Pennsylvania Coal PAC.

$9,200 to Senator Pat Toomey (including $2,000 for his 2004 primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter. He gave $1,000 to Specter that fall).

$5,750 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee (which he may soon be courting for support).

$4,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

$4,000 to then-Senator Rick Santorum.

$800 to Citizens United.

$500 to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

He’s a frequent donor to GOP Congressional candidates, including:

$7,200 to former PA-12 candidate (and possible PA-Sen primary opponent) Tim Burns.

$2,300 to Bill Russell (PA-12).

$3,000 to Melissa Hart (PA-4) in 2008.

$2,400 to Mike Kelly primary opponent Paul Huber (PA-3).

$1,000 to Mike Kelly (PA-3).

$1,000 to G.T. Thompson primary opponent Derek Walker (PA-5).

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