REPUBLICANS WON FOOD INDUSTRY DOLLARS

JOYCE BARRETT

WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Republicans were the big winners in last month's elections -- in generating campaign contributions from the food industry, that is.

GOP congressional candidates reaped political donations from five grocery groups, according to Federal Election Committee records.

The National Grocers Association, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Food Marketing Institute, National Food Processors Association and Food Distributors International gave a total of $624,708 to House and Senate candidates, according to Federal Election Commission records through mid-October. Of that, 85%, or $541,258, went to 464 Republican Party candidates, and $79,750 was divided among 82 Democrats.

FMI was by far the industry's biggest political contributor, donating $427,228 through mid-October, FEC reports said. FMI gave $361,978 to 249 Republicans and $62,750 to 58 Democrats.

GMA gave $101,500 to candidates. Of that, $11,500 went to 14 Democrats and $89,000 went to 108 Republicans. FDI gave $73,032, of which $2,500 went to five Democrats and $70,532 to 84 Republicans. NFPA gave $20,948, of which $3,000 went to five Democrats and $17,948 to 21 Republicans. NGA gave $200 to GOP presidential hopeful Pete Wilson and $1,800 to two congressional candidates. NGA did not contribute to any Democrats.

Members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees were recipients of the food industry's largess. Rep. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., former chairman of the House committee who won the open Senate race in Kansas, received $7,333 from the FMI, $3,000 from GMA, $2,000 from NFPA and $2,500 from FDI. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., a ranking member on the Senate Agriculture panel who won re-election, received $4,000 from FMI and $3,000 from GMA. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., received $1,000 from NFPA, $2,000 from GMA, $5,000 from FMI and $1,000 from FDI. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., received $1,000 from FDI and $3,000 from GMA. Both Warner and McConnell won re-election. Rep. Larry Combest, R-Texas, a ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, received $500 from GMA and $2,000 from FMI.

Sen. Spencer Abraham, R.-Mich., a re-elected member of the Senate Budget and Labor and Human Resources committees, also received contributions from the industry. Abraham received $3,000 from FMI and $1,000 from GMA.

Some of FMI's largest contributions went to those locked in tough campaigns. Among them were Sen. Robert Smith, R-N.H., $4,999, a member of the Environment Committee, re-elected; Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., $4,000, re-elected; Rep. Dick Zimmer, R-N.J., who lost his bid for an open Senate seat in New Jersey, $7,500; Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif., also re-elected and a member of the House Commerce Committee, $3,500, and Rep. Thomas Ewing, R-Ill., $4,750. Ewing also was re-elected.

GMA also gave heavily to members in tough races. Rep. Greg Ganske, R-Iowa, received $2,500. Rep. Scott Klug, R-Wis., received $1,500, and Rep. Charles Norwood, R-Ga., received $1,500. All were re-elected.