Finance Sector Loves Tim Pawlenty, Whirlpool Loves Tax Credits and More in Capital Eye Opener: March 22 http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/03/finance-sector-loves-tim-pawlenty.html

Republican Tim Pawlenty, who yesterday launched a presidential exploratory committee, built a massive war chest during the 2010 election cycle to aid fellow Republicans. Through his leadership PAC, Pawlenty doled out $177,000 to 81 Republicans and raised $3.3 million, the fifth largest sum raised in a leadership PAC among all federal politicians during the 2010 election cycle, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.He also displayed some geographic favoritism for candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the first presidential caucus and primary, respectively, will be held next year. Seven out of Pawlenty's top eight House candidate beneficiaries hailed from one of these two states, according to the Center's research.

Who was fueling this money machine? Donors classified by the Center for Responsive Politics as part of the finance, insurance and real estate sector topped that list, giving Pawlenty at least $756,900 during 2009 and 2010. Within this sector, individuals within the securities and investment industry in particular favored Pawlenty, giving him more than $272,000. On other economic fronts, lawyers, law firms and lobbyists gave Pawlenty more than $193,000, according to the Center's research and retirees gave Pawlenty more than $352,800.