Lobbying firms distribute cash evenly to DFL gov candidates

Contract lobbyists at the state’s major law firms have deep-seated opinions about politics and also have a history of involvement in campaigns. But you wouldn’t know that from looking at the spending from most their firms’ political action committee contributions.

Lobbying firm PACs appear largely agnostic in the upcoming DFL primary, according to pre-primary reports filed today. For example, Minneapolis-based Lockridge Grindal Nauen‘s state political fund spent $58,525. The firm’s government relations chief Ted Grindal is actively supporting Kelliher. But the firm’s PAC contributed identical amounts of $2,000 to Kelliher and her primary challengers Mark Dayton and Matt Entenza.

Dorsey & Whitney‘s political action committee, which spent $55,200 during the period, also gave $2,000 to each of the DFL primary contestants. Both Lockridge and Dorsey also gave to GOP endorsed candidate Tom Emmer.

The strategy is wise given that it’s too early to know which DFLer will face Emmer in the November general election.

With a limit for giving to candidates, however, the big winners in the pre-primary reports were the House and Senate caucuses.

Among the eye popping cash dumps was Lockridge’s $20,288 in contributions to the DFL House Caucus and $10,051 to the DFL Senate Caucus. Lockridge’s PAC gave $3,043 to the Senate GOP’s Victory Fund and $5,500 to the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC).

The Faegre & Benson firm spent $61,000 on campaigns and political party units. Faegre gave $8,000 apiece to the House and Senate DFL caucuses. They gave $4,500 to the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) and $3,000 to the Senate Republican’s Victory Fund.

Leonard Street and Deinard, which made $20,800 in contributions, gave $2,500 to the HRCC and the DFL Senate Caucus.