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Nation: Lott Poised to Aid Former GOP Senate Colleagues

Former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), still in control of two well-funded political bank accounts, plans on using the money to support Republican Senate candidates and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination.

Lott spokesman Bret Boyles, who now works for the former Senator at his new Washington, D.C., firm, Breaux-Lott Leadership Group, declined to specify how much money his boss plans to spend helping his former Senate colleagues before the November elections.

But Boyles said the funds left over in Lott’s Senate campaign and leadership political action committee accounts would go to several Republican incumbents and challengers running this cycle. Boyles suggested that the National Republican Senatorial Committee also could be in line for a donation or two from Lott this year.

“Lott continues to be extremely active in helping Republican candidates,” Boyles said Wednesday. “If he hasn’t maxed out, he will max out to everyone he can.”

The fourth-quarter 2007 fundraising reports for Lott’s Senate campaign account and leadership PAC were due out today. But the last available reports showed $1.4 million in cash on hand in his campaign account, and $547,000 in his PAC.

On the list for immediate help is Virginia Senate candidate Jim Gilmore (R), the former Old Dominion governor and failed 2008 presidential candidate. Lott is scheduled to headline a February fundraiser for Gilmore, who is set to battle former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) in November.

Lott also expects to be extremely helpful to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who was appointed to replace Lott and must run in a special election to earn the right to serve out the remainder of the Senate term Lott won in November 2006.

Additionally, Boyles mentioned Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), both up for re-election this cycle, as candidates Lott is likely to aid financially.
— David M. Drucker

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