ATLANTA (AP) -- A fund connected to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has raised about $786,000 in contributions, according to a campaign finance report filed Friday.
The Real PAC of Georgia raised the funds largely from corporations and political action committees that either do business with the state or have a financial stake in legislation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Companies, lobbyists and others can give the fund donations of up to $50,000, well beyond the limit on contributions to Deal's official re-election campaign.
The disclosure was the fund's first since early 2012. The newspaper and Atlantaunfiltered.com earlier reported that the PAC had taken in at least $459,000, but had not recently filed campaign finance disclosures.
The fund was established by Deal supporters and has connections to the Republican governor. It paid $30,000 to Southern Magnolia Capital, a fundraising firm founded by Deal's daughter-in-law, Denise Deal of Gainesville. It also paid Ken Cronan, who co-owned a Gainesville salvage yard with Deal, more than $10,000 in December for pilot and plane expenses.
The fund's treasurer, Rick Thompson, said the PAC will use its money to promote Republican causes, not a specific candidate. Thompson formerly headed the state's ethics commission.
The PAC's biggest donors included:
- Georgia Crown Distributing Co., $50,000. Its chairman, Donald Leebern, is a major Deal campaign contributor. The governor reappointed him to the University System Board of Regents.
- United Health Group, $50,000. The company in 2012 lost a state contract to administer health insurance for about 650,000 teachers and state employees.
- AT&T, $50,000. The company was one of several that backed legislation to limit the power of local governments to regulate new cellphone towers.
Sunday
August 17th, 2025
6:58PM
