Tea party group announces $1 million donation

[September 22, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A tea party group announced a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor Tuesday, a shot of cash to be spent before the election by a movement that has relied on grassroots outreach to fiscally conservative voters.

The nonprofit Tea Party Patriots said it had received the donation from a single contributor who wants it divided up and given to local coordinators by Oct. 4. The group's spokesman told reporters that recipients of the money must spend it by Nov. 2, but they are barred from using it for ads or fliers that mention a specific candidate.

Organizers said the donor wished to remain anonymous.

The Tea Party Patriots is one of several groups that have capitalized on a wave of voter anger and their message of fiscal prudence and smaller government. Candidates backed by tea party groups defeated Republican Party backed candidates in a number of Senate primary races.

The GOP is now working to embrace the energy and the message of the tea party as it seeks to wrest control of Congress from Democrats in the general election.

Tea Party Patriots Inc. is a nonprofit organization and is not required to reveal its donors even if it engages in political activity. Organizers said they will not support specific candidates, only work to motivate voters to support their issues.

The Republican Party and outside GOP-allied groups have already stepped into some races in support of tea party backed candidates, most notably Nevada, where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, is in a close contest with Sharron Angle.

[Associated Press; By LAURIE KELLMAN]

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