Governor Haley's new bff's

The largest donation to the two pro-Haley accounts, set up by the Republican Governors, came from cigarette-maker Reynolds American, which contributed $125,000 to the RGA South Carolina IE, or independent expenditure, PAC. That group filed its initial paperwork with the State Ethics Commission just days prior to the election. It spent about $205,000 on media. 

The large Reynolds American donation, and four others to the RGA South Carolina IE PAC, took advantage of a federal judge’s September ruling that struck down campaign contribution limits on PACs and other third-party groups in South Carolina. Efforts to reach Reynolds American were unsuccessful. 

Haley and Sheheen were on opposite sides of the state cigarette tax debate last year. Sheheen supported the 50-cent-a-pack tax hike that became law last year; Haley opposed it. As governor, she has pledged to oppose any tax hikes.
A second Republican Governors fund spent almost $700,000 on Haley’s behalf.
It received donations from some of the biggest names in business: conglomerate General Electric, oil company Exxon Mobil, retailer Wal-Mart, carmaker Nissan, drugmakers Eli Lilly and Pfizer, restaurant operator Waffle House, cable company Comcast and Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti. 

Some of those companies, such as pharmaceutical makers, could lose money if Haley wins legislative approval of budget cuts she has suggested. For example, Haley has sought permission for the state Department of Health and Human Services to require the use of less expensive generic drugs for cancer, mental health and HIV/AIDS treatments for poor South Carolinians. 

Dozens of donors gave $3,500 each to the second fund, which raised more than $410,000. The RGA South Carolina 2010 PAC, which the party opened with some of its own cash, spent $689,486 on Haley’s behalf.