Senate President Lane Beattie, R-West Bountiful, told the newspaper last spring that he probably wouldn't be accepting tobacco money. But apparently Philip Morris has looked for a way around individual candidates rejecting money and the House and Senate GOP and Democratic PACs refusing money. They're giving it to the state Republican Party. Spencer Stokes, state GOP executive director, said there is no connection to the party's acceptance of the tobacco donations and money passed down to state legislative races. First off, the timing is wrong.
Money comes in and goes out of here fast.
A donation in April and June doesn't go to legislative candidates. It goes to party operations. The State Republican Party has been especially active in legislative races this year. Several races are targeted, and state money has flowed to them. We have a policy of not earmarking any contribution.