Unions give to Democratic party

Labor unions last week gave $730,000 to the N.C. Democratic Party, which in turn gave large contributions to the party's nominee for governor.

Campaign finance reports show that the state Democratic Party received $730,000 from three union political action committees. The party then turned around and gave Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's campaign an $875,000 contribution and spent $245,000 to send mailers on her behalf. That infusion of cash represents a quarter of the $4.6 million Perdue raised in the last three months.

Detailed campaign finance reports for the last three months are not yet publicly available. The donations were included in required 48-hour reports over the last week.

More after the jump.

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A committee of the Service Employees International Union gave $600,000. A committee of the United Food and Commercial Workers International union gave $100,000. And a committee of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers gave the state party $30,000.

Republicans immediately questioned the influence of unions in a potential Perdue administration, given not only the donations, but the months-long support Perdue has enjoyed from the State Employees Association of North Carolina. That group, which has 55,000 members, is affiliated with SEIU.

SEIU and SEANC are pushing for collective bargaining rights in the state.

"It really makes one wonder why is all their energy, time and money going to Perdue," said Sen. Tom Apodaca, of Hendersonville and deputy Senate Republican leader, "and what do they expect to receive for their efforts?"

Dana Cope, executive director of the employees association, said the contributions are meant to provide a check and balance on the business community.

"We want the political establishment in North Carolina to realize that we are a very large political player," Cope said. "This is something that's going to be sustained. We've had a relationship with SEIU for five years, even though we just affiliated with them in May."

Campaign finance reports also show that the state Democratic Party received $575,000 from the campaign committees of the three highest-ranking Democrats in the legislature. The campaign committee for Senate majority leader Tony Rand gave the party $200,000, the committee for Speaker of the House Joe Hackney gave the party $125,000 and Senate leader Marc Basnight's campaign gave the party $250,000.

Another $215,000 came from the Washington-based Democratic Governors Association, according to campaign finance reports.

A spokesman for Perdue's campaign did not return messages Tuesday morning.

Perdue's opponent, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, a Republican, raised $2.8 million in the most recent quarter, according to finance reports.