Republican Attorneys General Association

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Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) is a Washington, D.C. based 527 group of Republican Attorneys General. RAGA was created due to "concerns arising out of the industry-wide lawsuits that seek to promote public policy changes via the courthouse rather than the statehouse," and out of a desire to stop those with "a wish list for future mass state lawsuits– car rental companies, pharmaceutical firms, makers of lead paint and gun manufacturers".[1] A Texas Observer article described RAGA members as "Corporate Attorneys General."[1]

RAGA was formed in 1999[2] by "a handful of conservative state legal officials" who were "reluctant to sue big business."[1] As of February 2022, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is the Chairman of RAGA, and 27 AGs are listed on the RAGA site.[3]

As a 527 political organization, RAGA can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and corporations, and spends millions of dollars each cycle in an effort to elect state Republican attorneys general.

RAGA offers corporations access to GOP AGs correlated with the amount of money they donate. According to a 2014 "Membership Benefits" document obtained by The New York Times, $25,000 and above allows corporate donors to shape legal policy via an "online RAGA Briefing Room" and $125,000 per year allows them to "lead private issue briefings" with the GOP AGs. As New York Times described, "more money equals more access."[4]

RAGA often receives funding from corporations who have legal stakes in outcomes decided by the GOP AGs.[5][6]

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has followed "a playbook used by other corporations fighting off investigations by state attorneys general" via its donations to RAGA, according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics and Washington."[5].

After fossil fuel companies gave millions to RAGA, GOP AGs made decisions favorable to the interest of those companies. The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) has exposed coordination attempts between fossil fuel lobbyists and RAGA members "to coordinate on shielding ExxonMobil from scrutiny" as the public grew aware of Exxon’s efforts to hide what it knew about climate change from shareholders and the public.[6] Audio of the meeting was obtained by Center for Media and Democracy.[7]

News and Controversies

CMD Files Suit Against Ohio AG for Violating Public Records Act

The Center for Media and Democracy filed a suit against Ohio AG David Yost for his refusal to turn over record of his work with RAGA and RLDF. "Attorney General Yost has stonewalled CMD, the courts, and the people of Ohio for years to hide his dealings with RAGA's hyper-partisan and pay-to-play operations," said CMD Executive Director Arn Pearson. "It is high time for Yost to comply with Ohio's freedom of information law and stop hiding behind flimsy excuses."[8]

2022 Second Quarter Spending

RAGA raised $4.9 million in the second quarter, slightly above the $4.8 million they raised in the first quarter. $200,000 went to the Republican candidate for Iowa's attorney general, Brenna Bird. $15,000 went to Georgia AG's incumbent Chris Carr, who left his position as RAGA's national chair after "vastly opposite views of the significance of the events of January 6". $5,000 went to Raul Labrador, the Republican candidate for Idaho's AG.[9]

RAGA Opposes Further Regulating Methane Emissions

Following a RAGA briefing by the American Petroleum Institute, a consistent donor of RAGA, 19 Republican AGs sent a letter to the U.S. Senate committees on Environment and Public Works and on Energy and Natural Resources opposing the Methane Emissions Reduction Act of 2021 and the Build Back Better Act. API sent out a similar letter.[10]

RAGA Expands Pay-to-Play Operation

RAGA has added another weapon to its arsenal of pay-to-play groups designed to influence state attorneys general and national policy: the Center for Law and Policy (CLP), the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) first reported.[11]

An email from RAGA obtained by CMD describes CLP as a “new public policy organization dedicated to open discussion with state AGs on issues affecting their offices and long-term policy development on the role state AGs play in our system of government.”[11]

CLP's website states that it, "hosts educational round tables, policy briefings, and forums to educate state attorneys general and their staff on a wide range of policy issues. CLP promotes the rule of law through a focus on state sovereignty, liberty, and equality before the law."[12]

CLP led a “Tech Summit” at RAGA’s Summer Meeting in Deer Valley, Utah on Aug. 17, 2021 where Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was a featured speaker, according to RAGA’s agenda acquired by CMD.[11]

Peter Bisbee, RAGA’s executive director and the former executive director of the Rule of Law Defense Fund, heads up the newly minted 501(c)(3) nonprofit as its executive and policy director.

Multiple Members of Staff and Leadership Leave RAGA and RLDF Over January 6 Capitol Insurrection

In April 2021, Jason Heath, RAGA's former director of operations, Ashley Trenzeluk, RAGA's former finance director, and Chris Carr, RAGA's former chair, all resigned. Carr said he left due to "vastly opposite views of the significance of the events of January 6" of RAGA's Executive Director Peter Brisbee, "who was responsible for generating robocalls to turn people out for the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection".[13]

Idaho AG Drops Out of RAGA's 501(c)(4) Following Capitol Insurrection

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's office writes in an email obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy that it will “not be participating in any RLDF activities until further notice,” and any participation in RAGA will be “subject to the approval of Attorney General Wasden.”[13] The email sent shortly after the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol of which the Rule of Law Defense Fund and Republican Attorneys General Association was tied to invites the Idaho AG to a “senior staff call.”

RAGA Hinges "Lawless Liberals" Campaign on BLM Protests Despite Involvement in Jan. 6 Riots

In a national media campaign against Democrats, RAGA hinged its claim that the party was comprised of "lawless liberals" on incidents of violence that occurred alongside peaceful protests against the disproportionate death rate of Black Americans at the hands of police officers. In a press release, RAGA said, "Our five-month Lawless Liberals campaign earned millions of impressions" and "emphasized that the Republican AGs are America's strongest defenders of economic freedom, defending the nation from threats of socialism, chaos, and lawlessness". This angle was played despite the organization's own role in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, about which RAGA said they support "the right of Americans to to peacefully protest" while disconnecting it from "the violence, destruction, and rampant lawlessness occuring at the U.S. Capitol".[14]

Organizing Member of "March to Save America" Rally That Led to Violent, Pro-Trump Storming of U.S. Capitol

RAGA helped organize the "March to Save America" rally that took place on January 6, 2021, the day the Congress was scheduled to count Joe Biden's electoral college votes, confirming him as the president-elect.[15]

Additionally, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, RAGA's policy arm, sent out robocalls on January 5, which included the message, "At 1:00 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on congress to stop the steal. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections."[16] An unnamed person made their donation to RLDF contingent on the proliferation of robocalls in favor of the January 6th capitol storming.[17]

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, RAGA's former chair, spoke at the rally next to Donald Trump. Paxton said "What we have in President Trump is a fighter. And I think that’s why we’re all here... We will not quit fighting. We’re Texans, we’re Americans, and the fight will go on."[18]

Later on the same day, members of the pro-Trump mob overwhelmed Capitol police, entering the building and forcing Congress to evacuate the chambers and go into lockdown.[19]

One Trump supporter who entered the Capitol was shot and killed by police, one Capitol police officer died from injuries sustained from the event, and three Trump supporters died during the event from medical issues.[19]

RAGA's executive director Adam Piper resigned following fallout from the group's role in the capitol riots.[20]

RAGA Raises $1.6 Million Post- 2020 Election

Following the November 2020 election, RAGA raised an additional $1.6 Million, significant because most of RAGA's donations go toward influencing elections. This spike in donations, up from $800,000 in 2018, is significant because of the movement among Republican AGs to challenge the election results.[21]

CMD Lawsuit Against Ohio Attorney General for Refusal to Release Records of Communication with RAGA and RLDF

In December 2020, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) sued "Ohio Attorney General David Yost for his office’s refusal to hand over records concerning Yost’s work with two powerful and partisan influence groups, the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), and its sister organization, the Rule of Law Defense Fund (RLDF), in violation of the Ohio Public Records Act."[22]

TikTok Contributed to RAGA and DAGA After Facing Increased Scrutiny

TikTok's first U.S. political donation was $75,000 to RAGA in June 2020, above the $50,000 threshold required to grant access "to senior AG staffers, special RAGA events, and RAGA’s online bulletin board, as well as the privilege of holding private briefings with attorneys general and their staff."[23]

Pharmaceutical Companies' Donations to RAGA and DAGA Increased As Threat of Investigations Against Them Grew

Contributing to RAGA allows pharmaceutical companies "access to those who are determining their legal— and, by extension, financial— fate. Their donations buy them benefits such as the 'opportunity to lead private briefings', possibly to make the case to settle for less."[24] Contributions to RAGA and DAGA (the Democratic Attorneys General Association) "began to ramp up in 2015 as legal action became more likely".[24]

Purdue Pharma donated $60,250 to RAGA in 2018, above the $50,000 threshold required to access "‘issue briefings’: one-on-one with Republican AGs... receive invitations to dinners with AGs, and get access to post in the RAGA Briefing Room, a 'secret online bulletin board' that allows 'big donors to help shape legal policy'".[24]

"AG Academy" Event

In January 2018, RAGA held "a private, two-day event designed as a training session for candidates for attorney general and an opportunity for them to meet with executives at companies that donate at least $50,000 annually to the association."[25] The event was attended by Republican Attorneys General candidates from Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico, alongside "representatives from coal producer Alliance Resource Partners, telecom giant AT&T, and lobbying firms Cozen O’Connor, Troutman Sanders and Reed Smith."[25]

Watchdog Group Sues Utah AG for Withholding RAGA Documents

The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) filed suit in District Court on July 17, 2017 against the Utah Office of Attorney General for its refusal to turn over emails and other documents concerning Attorney General Sean Reyes’ dealings with the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) and its partner organization, the Rule of Law Defense Fund (RLDF) in violation of Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act.[26]

When CMD filed an open records request for AG Reyes’ correspondence with RAGA and RLDF in March 2017, it received just 19 documents, which failed to include at least 13 interactions that CMD already knew about. On administrative appeal, the Office of Attorney General took the position that all its interactions with RAGA and RLDF “involve unofficial political/campaign activities” and are therefore not public business.[26]

However, RLDF has coordinated legal briefs and official letters for Reyes, including one letter denouncing climate fraud investigations, and Reyes and at least two of his staff have attended at least six RAGA national meetings.[26]

Oil Industry Influence

2017

Scott Pruitt said during his 2017 Senate confirmation hearing that he had not helped to fundraise for RAGA from Murray Energy, ExxonMobil or Devon Energy. However, open email records from 2012 showed that Pruitt's chief of staff had coordinated with Devon Energy lobbyists to have American Petroleum Institute (API) buy the company a RAGA membership. One month after the email request, API contributed $50,000 to the Republican State Leadership Committee, which funded RAGA.[27]

2016

In July 2016, RAGA "held private, undisclosed meetings with fossil fuel industry lobbyists in July to coordinate on shielding ExxonMobil from scrutiny as the company face[d] an ongoing investigation over allegations that it intentionally misled the public and its own shareholders about evidence of climate change..."[6][7]

2015

In August 2015, Murray Energy Corporation and Southern Company paid for meetings with RAGA "to discuss their opposition to the Clean Power Plan less than two weeks before the same GOP officials petitioned federal courts to block the Obama administration's signature climate proposal."[28]

Funding

2019-2020

Major donors to RAGA between 2019-2020 included The Concord Fund (formerly known as the Judicial Crisis Network) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.[15]

Top corporate donors included Altria, Koch Industries, Comcast, Melaleuca, Walmart, Cherokee Nation Businesses, Anthem, LHC Group, and JUUL Labs, while top tech company donors included Amazon, Facebook, Tiktok, and Google.[15]

Top trade association donors included the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.[15]

As compiled by Center for Media and Democracy from IRS filings:[15]

  • 1-800 Contacts, $79,890 (2019-2020)
  • 3M, $107,375 (2019-2020)
  • Aaron's, $127,875 (2019-2020)
  • Abbott Laboratories, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • ABC Free Enterprise Alliance, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • ACA International, $30,775 (2019-2020)
  • Ace Cash Express, $250,100 (2019-2020)
  • ACN, Inc., $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • ADT, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Advance America, $60,000 (2019-2020)
  • AFFIRM, $70,300 (2019-2020)
  • AFLAC American Family Life Assurance, $53,350 (2019-2020)
  • Air Methods Corporations, $15,425 (2019-2020)
  • Airbnb, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Alder, $16,150 (2019-2020)
  • Alkermes, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Alliance Coal, $20,725 (2019-2020)
  • Alticor, $55,000 (2019-2020)
  • Altria Client Services, $609,154 (2019-2020)
  • Amazon.com Services, $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • American Beverage Association Fund Consumer Choice, $50,100 (2019-2020)
  • American Association of Orthodontics, $15,700 (2019-2020)
  • American Bail Coalition, $100,615 (2019-2020)
  • American Chemistry Council, $100,900 (2019-2020)
  • American Council of Life Insurers, $31,950 (2019-2020)
  • American Electric Power Service Corporation, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • American Farm Bureau Legal Advocacy, LLC, $50,300 (2019-2020)
  • American Financial Service Association, $16,150 (2019-2020)
  • American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, $220,725 (2019-2020)
  • American Gaming Association, $30,425 (2019-2020)
  • American Gas Association, $55,350 (2019-2020)
  • American Hotel and Lodging Association, $31,675 (2019-2020)
  • American Optometric Association, $77,500 (2019-2020)
  • American Petroleum Institute, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • American Property Casualty Insurers Assoc PAC, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • American Public University System, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • American Tort Reform Association, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Americas Health Insurance Plans AHIP, $31,075 (2019-2020)
  • AmeriSourceBergen Corporation, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Amgen, $53,040 (2019-2020)
  • Ancestry.com, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Anheuser-Busch Cos., $200,525 (2019-2020)
  • Anthem, $260,000 (2019-2020)
  • ARDA-ROC PAC, $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • Association for Accessible Medicines, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Association of Dental Support Organizations, $100,850 (2019-2020)
  • Astellas Pharma US, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Asurion, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • AT&T Services, $250,000 (2019-2020)
  • AWL, $225,000 (2019-2020)
  • Baker Botts LLP, $53,300 (2019-2020)
  • Ballard Hospitality, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Bank of America Corporation, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Barrack Rodos and Bacine, $15,400 (2019-2020)
  • Barrett, Jonathan Dan, $12,000 (2019-2020)
  • Basin Electric Power Cooperative, $31,300 (2019-2020)
  • Beam Suntory Inc, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Bernard Marcus (The Marcus Foundation), $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • Best Buy Purchasing, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • BGR Government Affairs, $31,175 (2019-2020)
  • Biotechnology Innovation Organization, $15,350 (2019-2020)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, $100,300 (2019-2020)
  • Bluechip Financial LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • BlueCross and BlueShield Association, $26,075 (2019-2020)
  • BNSF Railway Company, $175,000 (2019-2020)
  • Boyd Gaming Corporation, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Brigham, Ben, $11,083 (2019-2020)
  • Bruning Law Group, $13,600 (2019-2020)
  • Byrider Franchising, LLC, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • C. Boyden Gray, $400,000 (2019-2020)
  • C.V. Starr and Co., $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Caesars Entertainment Services, $150,350 (2019-2020)
  • Capital One Services, $175,900 (2019-2020)
  • Cardinal Health, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Caremark Rx., $155,000 (2019-2020)
  • CarMax Auto Superstores, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Carvana, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Casino Association of Indiana, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Centene Management Company, LLC, $250,000 (2019-2020)
  • CenterPoint Energy, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • CenturyLink - Centurytel, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Charter Communications, $76,520 (2019-2020)
  • Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC PAC, $300,000 (2019-2020)
  • Chevron Policy Government and Public Affairs, $125,850 (2019-2020)
  • Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, $195,350 (2019-2020)
  • Citigroup Management Corp, $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • Clout Public Affairs LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • CMH Services, Inc., $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • CocaCola North America, $105,250 (2019-2020)
  • Comcast Corporation, $325,315 (2019-2020)
  • Community Choice Financial, $118,400 (2019-2020)
  • Conn's HomePlus, $15,350 (2019-2020)
  • CONSOL Energy, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Consovoy McCarthy PLLC, $75,915 (2019-2020)
  • Consumer Healthcare Products Association, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Continental, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Copart, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Cornerstone, $50,440 (2019-2020)
  • Cozen O'Connor Attorneys, $112,650 (2019-2020)
  • Craft, Joseph, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Cross River Bank, $45,000 (2019-2020)
  • Crowell and Moring LLP, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Curaleaf, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • CVS Pharmacy, $58,407 (2019-2020)
  • Daniel Defense Inc, $20,400 (2019-2020)
  • David Nutt and Assoc PC, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • DCI Group, $10,150 (2019-2020)
  • Del Cielo Media, $36,918 (2019-2020)
  • Deloitte Services, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Delta Air Lines, Inc., $15,900 (2019-2020)
  • Dentons US, $50,375 (2019-2020)
  • Diamond Resorts Centralized Services Company, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Diefenthal, Edward, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Direct Selling Association, $20,125 (2019-2020)
  • Dish Network, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Distilled Spirits Council US, $32,665 (2019-2020)
  • Diversified Energy, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Diversified Gas and Oil Corporation, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Dominion Energy, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Doordash, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • DoTERRA, $55,966 (2019-2020)
  • Douglass, Conner, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Dow Jones, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Dreeben, Alan, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • DropIn, $15,610 (2019-2020)
  • DTE Energy Corporation Services LLC, $30,900 (2019-2020)
  • Duke Energy, $15,425 (2019-2020)
  • eBay, $31,225 (2019-2020)
  • Edison Electric Institute, $75,625 (2019-2020)
  • Elevate Credit Service, $65,000 (2019-2020)
  • Eli Lilly and Company, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Enbridge Inc PAC, $25,800 (2019-2020)
  • Enbridge, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • EnCana Oil and Gas USA., $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Entergy, $225,000 (2019-2020)
  • Enterprise Holdings PAC, $85,350 (2019-2020)
  • Entertainment Software Association, $105,000 (2019-2020)
  • EQT Corporation, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Experian, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Exxon Mobil Corporation, $125,000 (2019-2020)
  • Facebook, $115,350 (2019-2020)
  • Fears Nachawati Law Firm, $125,000 (2019-2020)
  • FedEx, $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • Financial Service Centers of America, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • First Data Corporation, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Florida Power and Light Company, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Flowers Foods, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Fluor Enterprises, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • FN Admin LLC, $151,375 (2019-2020)
  • Foley and Lardner LLP, $50,350 (2019-2020)
  • Forcht, Terry E., $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Foster Friess, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, $35,275 (2019-2020)
  • Fox Corporation, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • FPL Energy, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Fresenius Medical Care, $180,800 (2019-2020)
  • Frost Brown Todd KY PAC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • GenCanna Global USA INC, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Genentech, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • General Motors LLC, $125,000 (2019-2020)
  • Genie Energy Corporation, $15,850 (2019-2020)
  • Georgia Power Company, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • GlaxoSmithKline, $50,350 (2019-2020)
  • Global Teen Challenge, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Google, Inc., $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Grant and Eisenhofer P.A., $51,075 (2019-2020)
  • Graves Garrett LLC PAC, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Greenwich Biosciences Inc, $50,525 (2019-2020)
  • Hallador Energy Company, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Haworth, $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • HCA Management Services, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Health Care Service Corporation, $25,400 (2019-2020)
  • Healthcare Finance Services LLC, $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • Herbalife International of America, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Herzog Contracting Corp, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Hilcorp Energy Company, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Hogan Law Associates, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Holland and Knight LLP, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Home Depot U.S.A., $205,579 (2019-2020)
  • HomeServe USA, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Horizon Pharma, $101,600 (2019-2020)
  • Horizon Therapeutics, $50,265 (2019-2020)
  • HPUL Project Operations, $55,000 (2019-2020)
  • Hubbard, Stanley, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, $63,970 (2019-2020)
  • Husch Blackwell LLP, $43,050 (2019-2020)
  • IAC, $125,000 (2019-2020)
  • Instacart, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Intuit, $110,000 (2019-2020)
  • Jackson Walker LLP PAC, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Jackson Walker LLP, $12,200 (2019-2020)
  • JES Management Company LLC, $35,000 (2019-2020)
  • Johnson & Johnson, $151,600 (2019-2020)
  • Jones Day, $31,925 (2019-2020)
  • JPMorgan Chase and Co. PAC, $55,500 (2019-2020)
  • Judicial Crisis Network, $1,000,000 (2019-2020)
  • JUUL Labs, $250,375 (2019-2020)
  • k12 Management Inc., $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Kaplan Fox and Kilsheimer, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Karen Wright (Ariel Corporation), $625,000 (2019-2020)
  • Kelley Drye and Warren LLP, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Kendrick, Randy, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • King and Spalding, $31,450 (2019-2020)
  • Kirby Company, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Koch Companies Public Sector, $22,530 (2019-2020)
  • Koch Industries, $425,000 (2019-2020)
  • Labaton Sucharow LLP, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • LeadsMarket, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • LegalShield, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • LegalZoom, $45,065 (2019-2020)
  • Lennar Corporation, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Leslie Baker, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • LGandE and KU Services Company, $25,750 (2019-2020)
  • LHC Group, $251,050 (2019-2020)
  • Life Science Logistics, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson LLP, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Locke Lord, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Lonsdale Enterprises, Inc, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Lowe's Companies, $150,775 (2019-2020)
  • Luckey, Palmer, $40,000 (2019-2020)
  • Luddy, Robert, $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • Lyft, $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, $225,000 (2019-2020)
  • Manhattan Life Group, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Marathon Petroleum, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Mark Anthony Brands dba Mikes Hard Lemonade, $50,350 (2019-2020)
  • Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • MasterCard International, $60,900 (2019-2020)
  • Match Group, $200,000 (2019-2020)
  • MAXIMUS, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Maynard Cooper and Gale, $51,680 (2019-2020)
  • McCarthy Strategic Solutions LLC, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • McGuire Woods, $17,500 (2019-2020)
  • McGuireWoods Federal PAC Fund, $17,500 (2019-2020)
  • McWane, Inc., $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Melaleuca, $310,700 (2019-2020)
  • Mentzer Media Services Inc, $19,508 (2019-2020)
  • Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp., $55,000 (2019-2020)
  • Microsoft Corporation, $81,995 (2019-2020)
  • Midland Credit Management, Inc., $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Millercoors, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Miriam Adelson, $250,000 (2019-2020)
  • Monsanto Company, $110,425 (2019-2020)
  • Monster Energy Company, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • Mountaire Corporation, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Murray Energy Corporation, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • N3 Owner, LP, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • National Association of Convenience Stores, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • National Association of Home Builders, $50,100 (2019-2020)
  • National Automobile Dealers Association, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • National Beer Wholesalers Association, $53,925 (2019-2020)
  • National Cable and Telecommunications Association, $30,350 (2019-2020)
  • National Community Pharmacists Association, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • National Mining Association, $60,000 (2019-2020)
  • National Rifle Association of America, $190,900 (2019-2020)
  • National Shooting Sports Foundation, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Nau III, John L., $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Navient Solutions, $31,500 (2019-2020)
  • Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough Political Cmte, $12,500 (2019-2020)
  • Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough, LLP, $43,025 (2019-2020)
  • NextEra Energy Resources LLC, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Novo Nordisk, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • NRG Energy Inc, $40,425 (2019-2020)
  • Nuclear Energy Institute, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Nucor Corporation, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Ochsner Clinic Foundation, $155,000 (2019-2020)
  • Oncor Electric Delivery Company, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Onder Law, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Oracle Corporation, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe, $32,015 (2019-2020)
  • Patrick Lynch Group LLC, $12,350 (2019-2020)
  • PayPal, $100,100 (2019-2020)
  • PC Matic, $76,065 (2019-2020)
  • Peabody Investments Corporation, $60,550 (2019-2020)
  • Pebble Beach Company, $111,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pebble Limited Partnership, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • PepsiCo, $81,796 (2019-2020)
  • Peter Thield (Palantir), $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pfizer, $161,980 (2019-2020)
  • Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, $50,400 (2019-2020)
  • Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, $261,025 (2019-2020)
  • PING, $41,309 (2019-2020)
  • Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pinpoint Media, $46,863 (2019-2020)
  • Plain Green LLC, $55,000 (2019-2020)
  • Policy Center for PHandS Inc, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Political Action Committee of the AAOS, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Pomerantz LLP, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • PRA Group, Inc. Operating, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Price, Chad, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Primoris Services Corp., $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Proteus Energy, $17,103 (2019-2020)
  • Prudential Financial, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • PruittHealth, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Purdue Pharma, $60,000 (2019-2020)
  • Quicken Loans, $11,315 (2019-2020)
  • Range Resources Corporation, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Recording Industry Association of America, $50,750 (2019-2020)
  • Redwood Capital Investments, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Reed Smith, $32,625 (2019-2020)
  • RELX Inc., $15,100 (2019-2020)
  • Rent-A-Center, $75,200 (2019-2020)
  • Republic Services, Inc., $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Retail Industry Leaders Association, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Revenue Group, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Rex Sinquefield, $500,000 (2019-2020)
  • Reynolds American, $170,000 (2019-2020)
  • Richard Uihlein, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Richard Weiss, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Robins Kaplan, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Ronald Cameron (Mountaire Corporations), $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • RS, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Rule of Law Defense Fund, $981,984 (2019-2020)
  • SAS Institute Inc., $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Sazerac Company Inc., $85,000 (2019-2020)
  • Scientific Games Corporation, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • SeatGeek, Inc., $20,000 (2019-2020)
  • Securus Technologies, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Sensiva Health, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Services Group of America, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Sheldon Adelson (Las Vegas Sands Corporation), $250,000 (2019-2020)
  • Shipman and Goodwin LLP, $16,800 (2019-2020)
  • Sidley Austin LLP, $25,300 (2019-2020)
  • SmileDirectClub, $40,000 (2019-2020)
  • Smithfield Foods Inc., $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Southern Company Services, $93,190 (2019-2020)
  • Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, LLC, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Sprint, $22,350 (2019-2020)
  • Squire Patton Boggs LLP, $50,125 (2019-2020)
  • Starpoint Resort Group, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, $55,375 (2019-2020)
  • Stateside Associates, $37,590 (2019-2020)
  • Strategic Link Consulting LP, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Sunrise Coal, $10,000 (2019-2020)
  • Surterra Florida LLC, $25,250 (2019-2020)
  • Surterra Holdings Inc, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Swisher International, $15,725 (2019-2020)
  • Switch, Ltd, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Symantec Corporation, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • T-Mobile USA, $90,125 (2019-2020)
  • TC Energy, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Tenet Healthcare, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Anschutz Corporation, $125,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Boeing Company Political Action Committee, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Chickasaw Nation, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Concord Fund, $2,748,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Hurst Group, $50,350 (2019-2020)
  • The Internet Association, $30,700 (2019-2020)
  • The Presidential Coalition, LLC Non Corporate, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Travelers Indemnity Company, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • The Vinyl Institute, $50,775 (2019-2020)
  • Thomas Rastin (Ariel Corporation), $625,000 (2019-2020)
  • TIAA, $30,700 (2019-2020)
  • Ticketmaster, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • TikTok Inc, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • TitleMax, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Toyota Motor North America, Inc, $35,000 (2019-2020)
  • Tracfone Wireless, Inc, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • Trinity Industries, Inc., $150,000 (2019-2020)
  • Troutman Sanders Public Affairs Group LLP, $110,000 (2019-2020)
  • TruGreen, $72,500 (2019-2020)
  • Turo, Inc., $65,525 (2019-2020)
  • Tyson Foods, Inc., $50,375 (2019-2020)
  • U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, $1,250,375 (2019-2020)
  • Uber Technologies, $150,500 (2019-2020)
  • United Refining Company, $100,000 (2019-2020)
  • United Services Automobile Association, $119,040 (2019-2020)
  • United States Sugar Corporation, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • UnitedHealth Group, $100,525 (2019-2020)
  • University of Phoenix, $100,600 (2019-2020)
  • Univision, $16,150 (2019-2020)
  • UPS PAC, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • US Justice Action Network, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • US Money Reserve, Inc, $55,000 (2019-2020)
  • US Renal Care, $30,000 (2019-2020)
  • USANA Health Sciences, $16,275 (2019-2020)
  • Valero Services, $100,450 (2019-2020)
  • Venable LLP, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Verde Environmental Technologies Inc, $50,100 (2019-2020)
  • Verizon, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Veterans United Home Loan, $30,350 (2019-2020)
  • Visa, $100,475 (2019-2020)
  • Vistra Corporate Services Company, $75,300 (2019-2020)
  • Vivint, $75,000 (2019-2020)
  • Wal-Mart Stores, $270,100 (2019-2020)
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. PAC Responsible Govt, $40,000 (2019-2020)
  • Walgreens Co., $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Waste Management, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Waymo LLC, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Weiss, Richard, $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Wells Fargo & Company, $50,000 (2019-2020)
  • Western Rim Investment Advisors, $35,000 (2019-2020)
  • Western Union Financial Services, $30,350 (2019-2020)
  • Willoughby and Hoefer P.A., $15,000 (2019-2020)
  • Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc., $136,305 (2019-2020)
  • Xcaliber International Ltd LLC, $50,730 (2019-2020)
  • Yahoo, $25,000 (2019-2020)
  • Yelp, $32,150 (2019-2020)
  • Zuffa, LLC, $10,000 (2019-2020)

2018

Taken from Documented and 'OpenSecrets:[29][30]

2016

As described by the Center for Responsive Politics, "Contributions may come from the organizations themselves or its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates." Contribution data based on records released by the Internal Revenue Service. Only top 20 donors listed per cycle.[30]

2014

As described by the Center for Responsive Politics, "Contributions may come from the organizations themselves or its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates." Contribution data based on records released by the Internal Revenue Service. Only top 20 donors listed per cycle.[30]

Additional Known Funders

Personnel

Attorneys General

As of February 2022:[3]

  • Steve Marshall (Alabama)
  • Treg Taylor (Alaska)
  • Mark Brnovich (Arizona)
  • Leslie Rutledge (Arkansas)
  • Ashley Moody (Florida)
  • Chris Carr (Georgia)
  • Lawrence Wasden (Idaho)
  • Todd Rokita (Indiana)
  • Derek Schmidt (Kansas)
  • Daniel Cameron (Kentucky)
  • Jeff Landry (Lousiana)
  • Lynn Fitch (Mississippi)
  • Eric Schmitt (Missouri)
  • Austin Knudsen (Montana)
  • Doug Peterson (Nebraska)
  • John Formella (New Hampshire)
  • Wayne Stenehjem (North Dakota) deceased
  • Dave Yost (Ohio)
  • John O'Connor (Oklahoma)
  • Alan Wilson (South Carolina)
  • Jason Ravnsborg (South Dakota)
  • Herbert Slatery (Tennessee)
  • Ken Paxton (Texas)
  • Sean Reyes (Utah Attorney)
  • Jason Miyares (Virginia)
  • Patrick Morrisey (West Virginia)
  • Bridget Hill (Wyoming)

Former Members

  • Bill Pryor, founder of RAGA, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Alabama)
  • Jane Brady (Delaware)
  • Don Stenberg (Nebraska)
  • Betty Montgomery (Ohio)
  • Charlie Condon, RAGA's first chairman (South Carolina)
  • Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 (Texas)
  • Mark Earley (Virginia)

Staff

As of February 2022:[31]

  • Peter Bisbee, executive director
  • Johnny Koremenos, deputy executive director
  • Lee Russell, chief financial officer
  • Morgyn Greer, finance coordinator
  • Seline Morrissette, scheduler
  • Avery Bower, finance intern
  • Brittany McGivern, senior advisor[32]
  • Maggie Moroney, finance director[32]
  • Nick Weinstein, political director[32]
  • Greg Cairns, deputy policy director[32]
  • Brielle Appelbaum, finance director[32]
  • Caroline Moore, director of operations[32]

Former Staff

  • Amanda Gonzalez, director of special projects
  • Ashley Highlander, finance director
  • Kelly Laco, communications director
  • Lea Bardon, executive table coordinator

Former Staff

  • Adam Piper, Executive Director (resigned following January 6, 2021 storming of U.S. Capitol)[20]
  • Jason Heath, Operations (2013-2021)

Executive Committee

As of February 2022:[33]

  • Alan Wilson, Chairman (South Carolina)
  • Austin Knudsen, Policy Chairman (Montana)
  • Eric Schmitt, Immediate Past Chairman (Missouri)
  • Steve Marshall, (Alabama)
  • Ashley Moody (Florida)
  • Todd Rokita, (Indiana)
  • Daniel Cameron (Kentucky)
  • Jeff Landry (Lousiana)
  • Sean Reyes (Utah)

Contact Information

Republican Attorneys General Association
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006

Website: https://republicanags.com/
Web contact form: https://republicanags.com/contact/
Phone: (202) 296-5910
Email: info@republicanags.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepublicanAGs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RepublicanAGs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ObqokqMVbM8ohnUMwU7NA/feed

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 8872 Filings

2023 Year-End Report

2023 Mid-Year Report

2022 Year-End Report

2022 Post-General Report

2022 Third Quarterly Report

2022 Second Quarterly Report

2022 First Quarterly Report

2021 Year-end Report

2021 Mid-year Report

2020 Year-end Report

2020 Post-general election Report

2020 Third Quarterly Report

2020 Second Quarterly Report

2020 First Quarterly Report

Articles

Related SourceWatch

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Andrew Wheat Corporate Attorneys General The Texas Observer, May 11, 2001
  2. ↑ RAGA about organizational site, accessed April 24, 2019
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 RAGA, Meet the AGs, organizational website, accessed February 1, 2022.
  4. ↑ New York Times Interactive, RAGA as a Money Machine, New York Times, Oct. 28, 2014, accessed January 13, 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 John Morgan "Drug Company Steps up Contributions to Attorneys General Group Amid Legal Trouble", Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics and Washington, April 7, 2016, accessed January 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Nick Surgey, "GOP Attorneys General Held Private Meetings with Fossil Fuel Lobbyists on Exxon Investigation", ExposedbyCMD, September 23, 2016, accessed January 11, 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Nick Surgey, "Transcript of RAGA Session on ExxonMobil Investigations", ExposedbyCMD, September 29, 2016, accessed January 11, 2021.
  8. ↑ David Armiak, Watchdog Group Files Second Suit in Ohio Supreme Court to Force AG Yost to Turn Over RAGA Records, "Exposed by CMD", August 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ David Armiak, Republican AG Pay-to-Play Group Raises $4.9 Million in Second Quarter, "Exposed by CMD", July 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ David Armiak, RAGA's Pay-to-Play Scheme Exposed in Effort to Kill Methane Fees, "Exposed by CMD", May 3, 2022.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 David Armiak, Republican AGs Expand Their Pay-to-Play Operation, ExposedbyCMD, October 7, 2021.
  12. ↑ Center for Law and Policy, Center for Law and Policy, CLP, accessed April 29, 2022.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 David Armiak, "More Staff Flee GOP Attorneys General Group After It Doubles Down on Insurrection", Exposed by CMD, May 4, 2021, accessed May 11, 2021.
  14. ↑ Alex Kotch, The GOP's 2020 Campaign Against People of Color, "Exposed by CMD", March 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 David Armiak and Alex Kotch, "Republican AGs Forever Tied to Violent Pro-Trump Insurrection", Exposed by CMD, January 11, 2021, accessed January 12, 2021.
  16. ↑ Jamie Corey, "REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL DARK MONEY GROUP ORGANIZED PROTEST PRECEDING CAPITOL MOB ATTACK", Documented, January 7, 2021, accessed January 13, 2021.
  17. ↑ Bryan Lyman, "Report: Donor threatened to withhold contribution to Alabama AG's dark money group if it didn't promote Capitol rally", Montgomery Advisor, January 21, 2021, accessed January 25, 2021.
  18. ↑ Benjamin Wermund, "Ken Paxton at Trump's D.C. rally: 'We will not quit fighting.'", Houston Chronicle, January 6, 2021, accessed January 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Washington Post Staff, "Woman dies after shooting in U.S. Capitol; D.C. National Guard activated after mob breaches building", Washington Post, January 7, 2021, accessed January 12, 2021.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Deanna Paul and Jess Bravin, "Republican Attorney General Official Resigns Over Group’s Role in Capitol March", Wall Street Journal, January 11, 2021, accessed January 13, 2021.
  21. ↑ David Armiak, RAGA Raised $1.6 Million as Republican AGs Challenged Election Results, "Exposed by CMD", February 10, 2021.
  22. ↑ Center for Media and Democracy, "Watchdog Group Files Suit Against Ohio AG Dave Yost for Withholding Records of Dealings with Powerful Influence Groups", press release, December 1, 2020, accessed January 11, 2021.
  23. ↑ Alex Kotch, "Facing Increased Scrutiny, TikTok Gave Money to State Attorneys General Groups", Exposed by CMD, August 7, 2020, accessed January 11, 2021.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Scott Zimmerman, "Pay-to-Play Group Garnered Sackler’s Access to Attorneys General Deciding their Fate", Exposed by CMD, September 24, 2019, accessed January 11, 2021.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Andrew Perez, "AG Academy: Republican Attorneys General Get Schooled by Corporate Lobbyists", Exposed by CMD, April 2, 2018, accessed January 11, 2021.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 ExposedbyCMD Editors, Watchdog Group Sues Utah AG for Withholding RAGA Documents, ExposedbyCMD, July 18, 2017.
  27. ↑ Nick Surgey, "Did Pruitt Lie about Fundraising for RAGA?", Exposed by CMD, January 26, 2017, accessed January 11, 2021.
  28. ↑ Nick Surgey, "Fossil Fuel Industry Paid for Meetings with GOP Attorneys General to Plan Attack on Clean Power Plan", ExposedbyCMD, September 7, 2016, accessed January 11, 2021.
  29. ↑ Jaime Corey "Republican Attorneys General Group Hosting 'Oil and Gas Summit'" Documented April 8, 2019
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Center for Responsive Politics, "Republican Attorneys General Assn", OpenSecrets, accessed January 12, 2021.
  31. ↑ LinkedIn, Republican Attorneys General Association, People, organizational website, accessed 2022.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 RAGA, 2021 End of Year IRS Filing, RAGA, 2021.
  33. ↑ RAGA, Executive Committee, organizational website, accessed February 2022.
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