Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund has raised $8.2 million but only spent $185,000 on individual candidates this year. Says, 'We're new at this'-USA Today

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5/4/14, "Upcoming primaries test GOP establishment's clout," USA Today, Fredreka Schouten

"Meanwhile, one of the best-funded Tea Party groups of this cycle, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, spent less than $185,000 of the $8.2 million it has raised through March 31 to directly help individual candidates.

"We're new at this," said Kevin Broughton, the Citizen Fund's spokesman. "You're going to see our activity ramp up as we get into the second or third quarter of the year."

In recent days, the group recorded an automated call to North Carolina voters opposing Tillis, but it has steered clear of endorsements in crowded GOP Senate primaries in states such as Georgia and South Carolina because its supporters in those states haven't reached a consensus on whom to back, he said.

The May calendar is crowded with 11 state primaries. In several, the establishment-backed candidates have the edge....

Broughton said the Tea Party Patriots may get involved if there is runoff in Georgia."...


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