The 2009 Republican Governors Association Chairman's Report.

1. RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT I 2009
RGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - NOVEMBER 17-20
AUSTIN, TEXAS
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 250 | Washington, DC 20006 | (202) 662-4140 | www.RGA.org

2. 2009 REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS
OF THE UNITED STATES
M. Jodi Rell, CT Butch Otter, ID Dave Heineman, NE Mark Sanford, SC
Bob Riley, AL Charlie Crist, FL Mitch Daniels, IN Jim Gibbons, NV Mike Rounds, SD
Sean Parnell, AK Sonny Perdue, GA Bobby Jindal, LA John Hoeven, ND Rick Perry, TX
Jan Brewer, AZ Felix Camacho, GU Tim Pawlenty, MN Luis Fortuño, PR Gary Herbert, UT
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Lingle, HI Haley Barbour, MS Don Carcieri, RI Jim Douglas, VT
CA
1

3. 2009 GOVERNORS-ELECT REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS
OF THE UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
Governor Haley Barbour (MS), Chairman
GOVERNOR-ELECT CHRIS CHRISTIE OF NEW JERSEY
Governor Tim Pawlenty (MN), Vice Chairman
Nick Ayers, Executive Director
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Governor Haley Barbour (MS), Chairman
Governor Tim Pawlenty (MN), Vice Chairman
Governor Charlie Crist (FL), Gala Chairman
GOVERNOR-ELECT BOB MCDONNELL OF VIRGINIA Governor Rick Perry (TX), Finance Chairman
Governor Sonny Perdue (GA), Recruitment Chairman
Governor Linda Lingle (HI), At-Large
Governor Jim Douglas (VT), At-Large
2
RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
3

4. “If there was one big winner…it was [the] Republican Governors Association. In what turned out to be a
brilliant move, the RGA ran TV ads attacking independent Chris Daggett. What happened? Daggett got just
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 6% of the vote, which was down considerably from the double digits he was receiving in polls just a week
or two ago. As one very smart Democratic pollster told First Read, Corzine’s best path to victory was having
HALEY BARBOUR, MISSISSIPPI Daggett get 12% of the vote, enabling Corzine to win with 45%. As it turns out, Corzine got his 45%. But
with Daggett getting only 6%, that’s how Christie was able to win, 49%-45%.”
- MSNBC First Read, 11/4/09
The Republican Governors Association had one These victories will serve as a springboard Bob McDonnell, Chris Christie, and the RGA message and vision for their states while
overarching goal this year: win at least one of into 2010, when we have 37 races and proved this year that by focusing on the the RGA made game changing investments
the governors’ races taking place in New Jersey an opportunity to reclaim a majority of issues voters care about and by running the and ran tough, on-target independent ad
and Virginia. We knew victory in one race would governorships for the GOP. right type of campaigns, Republicans can win campaigns that focused on their opponents’
reverse a troubling trend line for Republicans anywhere in the country. records and liberal ties.
and winning both would give our Party serious Many people share the credit for our
momentum heading into 2010. successes. First, I want to thank my In Virginia, Bob McDonnell won an impressive Last, I want to thank everyone who helped
colleagues for their assistance and support victory against an opponent he defeated the RGA succeed this year: the people
We faced tremendous obstacles in New Jersey this year, especially Vice Chairman Tim by just 323 votes four years ago and in a who came to forums and exchanged
and Virginia, but thanks to a pair of great Pawlenty of Minnesota, the Executive state that hadn’t elected a Republican to the ideas so my colleagues and I could help
candidates and unprecedented investments Committee, and recent former chairmen governorship in 12 years. our constituents; RGA Executive Director
by the RGA, we picked up two states that for Governor Mark Sanford, Governor Rick Perry Nick Ayers and the talented staff; the
over a decade had been moving more and and Governor Sonny Perdue. Bob also led a GOP ticket that became only RGA finance committee; and the many
more Democratic. the second in history to sweep all three contributors who believe in our cause.
Our victories this year were set in motion statewide offices.
in January 2007 when all the governors I look forward to a BIG year for the
committed to a four-year plan to win back the Chris Christie’s winning margin over Democratic
incumbent Jon Corzine was the largest for a RGA in 2010.
majority of governorships for the GOP.
Republican since 1985. Chris proved that
Sincerely,
Thanks to strategic targeting and disciplined even in a state where registered Democrats
budgeting, the RGA carried forward more than overwhelmingly outnumber registered
$14 million into 2009 and had the resources Republicans, we can still win by focusing on
to invest $13 million in New Jersey and Virginia. pocketbook issues like taxes and jobs. Governor Haley Barbour
RGA Chairman
Barely more than one year ago, President Bob McDonnell, Chris Christie, and the RGA
Obama carried both states by wide margins created a successful model for how we will
and there was talk that the Republican Party win many of our targeted states next year.
was hopelessly lost. The candidates focused on their positive
Governor Barbour speaking at the 2009 RGA Annual Gala. RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
4 5

5. THE RGA IN 2009: SHIFTING THE
PENDULUM OF PARTY MOMENTUM
NEW JERSEY AND VIRGINIA
“The RGA came in and changed
The RGA knew that winning either the New Jersey the framework of the election.”
race or the Virginia race would be a formidable - Creigh Deeds’ media consultant, Politico, 11/4/09
challenge. Democrats in Virginia had won the last
two governors’ races and the last two U.S. Senate Chris Christie working the rope line at a rally with supporters. Christie’s victory margin was the largest by a GOP candidate for governor since 1985.
races, and taken control of the state senate. In New Jersey, Chris Christie was facing a deep-
pocketed incumbent who would spend more
The Democrats’ gains in Virginia culminated than $30 million on the campaign. Christie and define the race on his terms. The issues the state’s public financing system, the RGA aired
in President Obama becoming the first was limited to spending less than $12 million he introduced in those ads remained central $5 million of broadcast TV ads in the New York
Democratic presidential candidate since because he had opted into the state’s public throughout the campaign and they would not City and Philadelphia media markets. We kept the
1964 to carry the state. financing system. have aired if not for the RGA. focus on Jon Corzine’s failed record as governor
and carried Christie through Labor Day with an
On top of all that, Governor Tim Kaine was Democrats also outnumbered Republicans by In the fall, RGA launched an independent 8-point lead. Real Clear Politics published an
also serving as chairman of the Democratic 700,000 and have long benefited from the expenditure campaign that decimated Creigh analysis of our summer efforts in New Jersey titled
National Committee. political infrastructure put in place through Deeds. We started by running ads in every ”With Christie Spending Limited, RGA to the Rescue.”
decades of dominating the state. Virginia media market outside Washington, D.C.
detailing Deeds’ record as Richmond’s biggest We continued running ads throughout the fall
We invested a total of $5.5 million in the Virginia spender and his plan to hike taxes. After four and were the first to recognize the threat posed
governor’s race, which despite McDonnell’s wide weeks, the ads had flipped Deeds’ image by by Independent candidate Chris Daggett. We
victory margin, was still a two-point race in the twenty points and he had a negative favorability executed a campaign on television and radio
middle of September. rating downstate. and through the mail that made a vote for
Daggett unacceptable for most New Jerseyans.
We knew governors’ races develop earlier than In October, we began a $1.8 million advertising After peaking at 20 percent in the public polls,
most other campaigns, so we contributed $2 campaign in the Washington, D.C. media market Daggett finished with less than 6 percent of the
million to McDonnell’s campaign in the spring, using footage of Deeds struggling to answer vote on Election Day.
allowing him to go up on TV during May sweeps reporters’ questions in a post-debate press
Bob McDonnell on the campaign trail.
conference. The Washington Post called our ads We closed in New Jersey by doubling our ad buy
“devastating” and “decisive” to the final outcome. in the final week, making sure that Republicans
“There is no bigger strategic winner last night than Haley Barbour and the would be on TV at the same level as Jon Corzine.
The RGA’s impact in New Jersey was the difference
Republican Governors [Association]...It ought to make a lot of Democratic
maker. We spent more than $7 million waging an
candidates for governor nervous that...Haley Barbour knows what he is doing, “There’s no other way to say it: The
aggressive independent expenditure campaign
and they’re not messing around at that Republican Governors Association.” that began in April. With Christie unable to spend RGA knocked it out of the park.”
- MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, 11/4/09 money during the summer because he opted into - Politico, 11/4/09
6 7

6. RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
“The strategic smarts demonstrated by the RGA bodes well for Republicans
as the focus moves to the 37 governors races on the ballot next November.”
THE RGA IN 2010: - The Washington Post, 11/4/09
LOOKING AHEAD THE IMPACT OF 2010
Victories in New Jersey and Virginia mean that Electing more Republican governors has
RGA will head into 2010 with 24 governors. The never been more important. The RGA believes
RGA is the only Republican committee to post a Republicans won’t win back the U.S. Senate,
net gain since the end of 2006 and we have a House or Presidency until first reclaiming a
plan to reclaim a majority of governorships for the majority of governorships for the GOP.
GOP by the end of next year. The four-year plan
instituted by governors in January 2007 will result Governors and candidates for governor are
in the RGA carrying forward a record amount of the leading political figures in their states
cash-on-hand at the end of the year. With 37 races and can have tremendous impact on down
Governor Jim Douglas, First Lady Dorothy Douglas, and Lt. Governor of
set to take place, the 2010 electoral playing field Hawai’i and gubernatorial candidate James ”Duke” Aiona.
-ballot races. Moreover, they are able to
will be the most expansive in history. Our strong build and organize the critical state Party
financial position will ensure we will not miss any infrastructure needed to win close elections.
TAKING CONTROL
opportunities.
The results of the 2010 elections will also
The RGA will be on offense in a record
have an even bigger than usual political
HOLDING OUR GROUND number of states currently controlled by
impact because governors and state
Democrats. The Democrats will be forced to
In 2010, the RGA will defend 7 states held by legislatures will be redrawing legislative
defend incumbents in 9 states, nearly all of
governors who are eligible to run for reelection. In districts in 2011. In many states, the
whom are vulnerable.
many of these states our incumbents are popular governor has tremendous influence in
with the voters and have bright reelection prospects. And with 10 open Democratic seats, we redistricting.
The RGA expects the Democrats to target some of have a tremendous opportunity to redraw
these states but we are confident that with the right the political map. We can compete in every
strategy we can win every race. open Democratic state: Kansas, Maine,
Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon,
The RGA will also have 11 open seat races in states Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and
where our governors are not running again. Wyoming.
There will be high profile races in California, Florida,
Georgia, and Minnesota along with elections in The Washington Post called RGA’s Virginia
Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rhode Island, South ads “devastating” and “decisive.”
Carolina, South Dakota, and Vermont. - 10/27/09 & 11/4/09
Governors Mark Sanford, Donald Carcieri, and Dave Heineman.
8

7. “With Christie spending limited, RGA to the rescue.”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE - Real Clear Politics, 10/8/09
NICK AYERS
RGA BY THE NUMBERS
The RGA had 5 goals we wanted to achieve in Our efforts in the 2010 elections began in earnest Money Raised vs. Money Spent by Year
2009: win at least one governors’ race, raise and this year. We recruited an incredible field of
carry forward a record amount of money, put the candidates to run for governor. We then spent an
RGA on the national stage with the media, recruit intense few days in Idaho this summer equipping 40,000,000
and develop top-tier candidates in all our 2010 our candidates with all the resources they need to 35,000,000
MONEY RAISED
targeted states, and become a first-rate policy run a strong campaign. They heard from some of 30,000,000
Political Dollars Spent
resource for our governors and candidates. the brightest minds in our Party and learned what it 25,000,000
Overhead/Fundraising Costs
takes to succeed as a candidate and a governor. 20,000,000
As you see outlined in this report, we have 15,000,000 Money Put In Reserve
succeeded in meeting these goals. We also produced a Republican Governors Best 10,000,000 *2009 Estimate for money raised.
Practices Book that provides our governors and 5,000,000
We also welcomed three new governors: Alaska candidates with more than 350 pages of tested 0
Governor Sean Parnell, Arizona Governor Jan policy ideas that could work in their states. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*
Brewer and Utah Governor Gary Herbert. This year
has been one of the toughest in history to be a We could not have done any of this without the
governor and all three are meeting the challenge. support of our governors and our donors. I want
to especially thank Governor Barbour – he works Review of Cash on Hand at Beginning of the Year
The 22 current Republican governors will soon
be joined by Governor-elect Chris Christie in New
tirelessly for our cause and I can think of no better Record Investments 25,000,000
chairman to be leading the RGA through this 20,000,000
Jersey and Governor-elect Bob McDonnell in election cycle. 15,000,000
Virginia. The RGA made an unprecedented impact Virginia
10,000,000
in both races, which we detail throughout this book. As a result of the wins in New Jersey and Virginia $5.5 million
5,000,000
this year and the early preparation for the 37 races
Despite an extremely challenging fundraising taking place next year, I am confident that we will
4,000,000
climate in the first two quarters of 2009 driven reclaim a majority of governorships for the GOP by New Jersey 3,000,000
by a weak economy and seemingly shifting the end of 2010. $7.3 million 2,000,000
0
political winds, the RGA is positioned to break our 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010*
fundraising record. The Executive Roundtable (ER), Sincerely, Previous 4 year cycle without 4 year plan Current 4 year cycle with 4 year plan enacted
our new personal donor program, is a major reason *2010 Estimate.
we will meet our goal. We began this year with just
22 ER members who contributed $25,000 or more Republican Political Strategist Karl Rove wrote in The Wall Street Journal that the RGA played “a decisive
Nick Ayers
to the RGA but expect to end the year with more
Executive Director, RGA role in both states, spending $13 million on early and extensive TV blitzes. In Virginia, the association
than 300 members.
tattooed Mr. Deeds as a tax raiser and slippery liberal. In New Jersey, they cut Mr. Daggett's support in half
by arguing a vote for him is a vote for Mr. Corzine.” - 10/28/09
10 11

8. 2009: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Governor Haley Barbour and Governor Tim Pawlenty Governor Rick Perry accepts a shotgun in appreciation for his
exchange microphones and handshakes in Aspen. service as RGA Chairman at the 2008 Annual Conference.
The Republican Governors hold a governors-only Chris Christie, joined by his family, accepts the
meeting at the 2008 Annual Conference in Miami. Republican Party’s nomination after winning the primary.
The Republican Governors meet to discuss election
goals and strategy at the 2008 Annual Conference. Governor Haley Barbour campaigns with Bob
McDonnell on the Saturday before Election Day.
12 Governors John Hoeven, Haley Barbour, and Sonny Perdue host a forum in Sun Valley, Idaho. 13

9. THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION 2010 GOVERNORS:
PARTY CONTROL
PAST CHAIRMEN Gregoire
(WA) Baldacci
Schweitzer
Hoeven Douglas (VT) (ME)
1963-66 Gov. Robert Smylie, Idaho 2001-01 Gov. Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania (MT)
(ND)
Kulongoski Pawlenty
Lynch (NH)
1966-67 Gov. John A. Love, Colorado 2001-02 Gov. John Rowland, Connecticut (OR) (MN)
Otter Rounds Doyle Patrick (MA)
1967-68 Gov. John H. Chafee, Rhode Island 2002-03 Gov. Bill Owens, Colorado (ID)
Freudenthal (SD) (WI)
Granholm
Paterson (NY) Carcieri (RI)
(WY) (MI) Rell (CT)
1968-70 Gov. Ronald W. Reagan, California 2003-04 Gov. Bob Taft, Ohio Heineman
Culver Rendell
Christie (NJ)
Gibbons (IA) (PA)
Strickland
1970-71 Gov. Louise B. Nunn, Kentucky 2004-05 Gov. Kenny Guinn, Nevada (NV) Herbert
(NE) Quinn Daniels (OH) Markell(DE)
Schwarzenegger (IL) (IN) Manchin
(UT) Ritter (WV)
1971-72 Gov. William G. Milliken, Michigan 2005-06 Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts (CA) (CO) Parkinson Nixon McDonnell (VA) O’Malley (MD)
(KS) (MO) Beshear (KY)
1972-73 Gov. Linwood Holton, Virginia 2006-07 Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia Perdue (NC)
Bredesen (TN)
1973-74 Gov. Winfield Dunn, Tennessee 2007-08 Gov. Rick Perry, Texas Brewer
Richardson
Henry
Beebe Sanford
(AZ) (OK)
(NM) (AR) (SC)
1974-75 Gov. Christopher S. Bond, Missouri 2008-09 Gov. Mark Sanford, South Carolina
Barbour Riley Perdue PARTY
1975-76 Gov. Arch A. Moore, West Virginia (GA)
2009-Present Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi Jindal
(MS) (AL)
Republican (24)
Perry
(LA)
1976-77 Gov. Robert F. Bennett, Kansas (TX)
Democrat (26)
Crist
1977-78 Gov. Robert D. Ray, Iowa
1978-79 Gov. Otis R. Bowen, Indiana
PAST EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Parnell
Lingle
(HI)
(FL)
(AK)
1979-80 Gov. Richard A. Snelling, Vermont 1963-64 Robert B McCall
1980-81 Gov. John Dalton, Virginia 1966 Carl A. McMurray
1981-82 Gov. James R. Thompson, Illinois 1967-69 Richard T. Fleming
GOVERNORS: 2010 SEATS UP
1982-83 Gov. Richard D. Orr, Indiana 1971-75 Buehl Berentson
1983-84 Gov. Victor G. Atiyeh, Oregon 1976-1980 Ralph E. Griffith
1984-85 Gov. Dick Thornburgh, Pennsylvania 1980-81 Ronald Rietdorf
1985-86 Gov. John Sununu, New Hampshire 1981 John L. Stevens Baldacci
Douglas (VT) (ME)
1986-87 Gov. Thomas H. Kean, New Jersey 1982-85 Carol A. Whitney
Kulongoski Pawlenty
1987-88 Gov. Michael N. Castle, Delaware 1985-91 Michele M. Davis (OR) (MN) Lynch (NH)
Otter Rounds Doyle Patrick (MA)
1988-89 Gov. Mike Hayden, Kansas 1991-95 Chris Henick (ID)
Freudenthal (SD) (WI)
Granholm
Paterson (NY) Carcieri (RI)
(WY) (MI) Rell (CT)
1989-90 Gov. John Ashcroft, Missouri 1995-96 Paul D. Hatch Culver Rendell
Gibbons Heineman (IA) (PA)
1990-91 Gov. Carroll Campbell, South Carolina 1996 LeAnne Wilson (NV) Herbert (NE) Quinn
Strickland
(OH)
Schwarzenegger (UT) Ritter (IL)
1991-92 Gov. Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin 1997 Brian Kennedy (CA) (CO) Parkinson O’Malley (MD)
1992-93 Gov. George V. Voinovich, Ohio 1997-00 Clinton Key
(KS)
1993-94 Gov. John R. McKernan, Maine Bredesen (TN)
2000-01 Michael McSherry Brewer Henry
Sanford
(AZ) Richardson (OK)
Beebe
1994-95 Gov. Michael O. Leavitt, Utah 2001 Duncan Campbell (NM) (AR) (SC)
Riley Perdue
1995-96 Gov. John Engler, Michigan 2001-02 Clinton Key (AL) (GA) PARTY/RACE STATUS
Perry GOP Incumbent (7)
1996-97 Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Iowa 2002-2004 Edward T. Tobin III (TX)
DEM Incumbent (9)
1997-98 Gov. David Beasley, South Carolina 2004-05 Mike Pieper Crist
GOP Open Seat (11)
Lingle (FL)
1998-99 Gov. Frank Keating, Oklahoma 2005-2006 Phillip A. Musser Parnell (HI)
DEM Open Seat (10)
(AK)
RGA
1999-00 Gov. Ed Schafer, North Dakota 2006-Present Nick Ayers
2000-01 Gov. Jim Gilmore, Virginia
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
14 15

10. RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION
RGA staff with Chairman Haley Barbour. Election Night, 2009.
REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION STAFF
Mike Adams—General Counsel Maggie Rauck—Finance Assistant
Nick Ayers—Executive Director Mike Schrimpf—Communications Director
Paul Bennecke—Deputy Executive Director and Millicent Segura—Compliance Assistant
Political Director Alex Skatell—Director of New Media
Catherine Campbell—Political Assistant Alyssa Smith—Membership Coordinator
Campbell Engle—Governors Board Director Anne Thompson—Director of Scheduling
Molly Flanagan—Governors Liaison Kyle Vitasek—Video Production Coordinator
DiAnne Graham—Executive Roundtable Director Tim Whiting—Compliance Director
Katherine Haltiwanger—Governors Council Director
Kaylee Heathcott—Events Assistant
Adam Kincaid—Director of Policy and Research
Lauren Lofstrom—Governors Roundtable and
Governors Club Membership Director
Sarah Lynch—Governors Statesmen and Governors
Cabinet Director
Angela Meyers—Finance Director
Tricia Moffatt—Events Director RGA Staff with Governor Rick Perry in Aspen.
16 17

11. “We subscribe to the theory that we will not get the U.S. Senate, House, or
Presidency back until first reclaiming a majority of Republican Governorships.
The RGA has a plan between now and November 2010 to do just that. We are the
only national committee that can accept unlimited corporate and personal dollars.”
Join our cause at www.RGA.org
RGA
R EPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION