JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin raised more than $1.2 million for her political action committee during the last quarter, doling out money to tea party candidates but spending much of the money on consultants and travel.
The financial disclosure, filed Tuesday by her SarahPAC, shows the 2008 vice presidential candidate and potential 2012 presidential contender spent about $1 million during that time, much of it for consulting in areas including coalitions, media, international affairs and finance.
She also gave money to about 15 candidates, including $10,000 to U.S. Senate hopefuls Christine O'Donnell of Delaware and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.
She contributed $10,000 to Joe Miller, a political upstart in her home state who upset U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the GOP primary and is seeking to turn back Ms. Murkowski's write-in candidacy in the Nov. 2 election. He received his first $5,000 during the primary, and it showed up on Palin's previous filing.
The Federal Election Commission allows for PACs to give up to $5,000 per candidate committee per election. Mrs. Palin has said repeatedly that her immediate focus is on the midterm elections and on getting elected candidates she considers "commonsense conservatives."
Other candidates getting money included U.S. Senate hopefuls Marco Rubio of Florida and John Hoeven of North Dakota, each with $5,000; Sharron Angle of Nevada and Rand Paul in Kentucky.
Mrs. Palin also gave $10,000 to the Iowa Republican Party, donations that coincided with her unity speech at the party's largest annual fundraiser last month.
Her filing shows she ended the period Sept. 30 with nearly $1.3 million on hand.
