PAC with Deal ties raises 786k

A fund tied to Gov. Nathan Deal has raised more than three quarters of a million dollars, according to campaign reports filed late Friday.

The money Real PAC of Georgia raised came largely from corporations and political action committees that do business with the state or have an interest in legislation. Because Real PAC is also a political action committee, the companies, lobbying organizations and individuals have been able to write checks up to $50,000, three times the legal limit for contributions to Deal’s official re-election campaign.

Among the donors were companies vying to become the sole administrator of the taxpayer-subsidized health benefits program for hundreds of thousands of state employees and retirees, Anheuser-Busch and car title loan purveyor Titlemax.

The exact amount raised by Real PAC, started by Deal supporters, became known Friday when the committee filed its first disclosure reports since early 2012.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Atlantaunfiltered.com reported in July that the PAC had taken in at least $459,000. In the absence of a report from Real PAC, the newspaper was able to find records in which companies and other PACs disclosed their donations to the organization. Friday’s release showed that the PAC has taken in about $300,000 more than the AJC earlier reported.

Friday’s report showed the committee has raised $786,000 and spent $211,000 leaving nearly $575,000 in cash on hand.

The PAC’s spending shows a connection between the committee and the governor.

Real PAC paid Deal’s daughter-in-law and his business partner for various services. Ken Cronan, who co-owned a Gainesville salvage yard with Deal, received $10,355 in December for “pilot and plane expenses,” according to committee’s disclosure reports.

Real PAC paid Southern Magnolia Capital, Denise Deal’s campaign fundraising firm, nearly $30,000 in 2012. It also spent more than $600 for an event at the Governor’s Mansion.

The group’s treasurer, former state ethics commission director Rick Thompson, said the PAC will use its money to promote a Republican message, not a specific candidate. Deal already has one announced challenger in next year’s Republican primary, Dalton Mayor David Pennington.

The committee was created in May 2011, listing Jim Walters, a major Deal donor from his hometown of Gainesville, as chairman; Cronan, as secretary; and Thompson as treasurer.

Among the PAC’s big donors: