Harper Helps House Republicans

CQPolitics - Confident Cash: Candidates Not Yet in Congress but Sure Enough to Share the Wealth
Mississippi Republican Gregg Harper, who is a shoo-in to succeed retiring Rep. Charles W. “Chip” Pickering Jr. in the state’s 3rd District, is dispensing cash from a newly formed leadership PAC to many of the same candidates Schock has favored.

Harper, whose race is rated Safe Republican by CQ Politics, has given $1,000 apiece via his leadership PAC to at least five House Republican candidates, all seeking open seats: Brett Guthrie in Kentucky; Andy Harris in Maryland; Wayne Parker in Alabama; and Christopher Lee in New York; and Glenn Thompson in Pennsylvania.

Harper’s campaign manager, Michael Cravens, declined to say whether there are other candidates to whom Harper has given through his new PAC.

Cravens said Harper’s focus is not to position himself to run for a class leadership post.

“That’s an assumption that some people have made,” Cravens said. “This is only an opportunity for him to help candidates who need help.”

Harper’s PAC, which filed its FEC paperwork on Oct. 16 is the type that can give $2,300 per candidate per election.