 PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: Data collected by Go Local Prov stated that $5 million was contributed in the 2008 and 2010 elections by 40 seperate individuals, $4.5 of that was spent in 2010 alone. Governor Lincoln Chafee topped the contribution list with donations coming in at $1.6 million and State spending coming in at $1.5 million. For individual Unions, the Local 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America topped the list with $54,105 spent on campaign contributions for near 100 House and Senate candidates. Other contributions include those by lawyers and lobbyists which accounted for $1.9 million in political money, the largest amount given in contributions. While it makes sense for lawyers and lobbyists to top the list of contributions, other note that lumping them all together may be misleading as they all work for different organizations. Reform of the system has been suggested, noting that allowing for further public financing would help those candidates who cannot afford to finance their own campaigns.[1]
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