Travel fundraising for Mass. Gov. Patrick tops $1M

BOSTONHealth care officials, financial industry executives and labor unions are pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into a political action committee that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick set up to pay for his travels on behalf of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

Patrick's Together PAC raised $455,500 from April 1 through the end of June, according to a campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

That brings the PAC's fundraising total to nearly $1.3 million since Patrick formed it last year. The committee ended June with $674,700 left in its account, having already spent $609,900.

The goal of the PAC was to raise money to pay for Patrick's travels and other activities for Obama and the national Democratic Party.

Among those contributing to Patrick's PAC during the most recent reporting period were former U.S. Attorney Wayne Budd and his wife, Jacqueline ($6,000); Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President Paul Guzzi ($3,000); Stacey Lucchino, wife of Red Sox President Larry Lucchino ($5,000); and Boston attorney Thomas Kiley ($500), whose clients include former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.

Also donating to Patrick's PAC was Cape Wind President James Gordon, who gave $5,000. Patrick has been a vocal advocate for both land-based and offshore wind power including Cape Wind, which aims to be the nation's first offshore wind farm.

Patrick also received contributions from the 1199 Service Employees International Union PAC ($5,000) and the Laborers' International Union of North America ($5,000).

Alex Goldstein, the Together PAC's executive director, said Patrick's political activities are separate from his day job as governor.

"Contributions have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on administration policies," Goldstein said.

Patrick also received $5,000 contributions from top executives at health care organizations like Steward Health Care, Partners Health Care, Shields Health Care Group and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

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Travel fundraising for Mass. Gov. Patrick tops $1M

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