The Republican Governors Association raised $23.5 million during the first three months of 2014, the organization will announce Thursday. It’s a record haul for the RGA, which is chaired by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).
The RGA has nearly $60 million in the bank, money it will need as it seeks to defend 22 seats compared to just 14 for Democrats. Most of the money the RGA raised came from the group’s 527 arm, which hauled in more than $22 million. The 501(c)(4) affiliate raised $1.3 million.
Christie, who has come under intense scrutiny and criticism from Democrats in the wake of a traffic scandal involving his former aides and appointees, has led the RGA since late 2013. Under his watch, the RGA has brought in big bucks. The groups’s previous first quarter best was $9.1 million in 2010. . .