March 23, 1993

Timber Industry a Major Force in Republican Politics

The timber industry, now seeking political cooperation with the Clinton Administration, is one of the most pro-Republican industries in politics, according to the Western States Center's Money in Western Politics Project.

In the 1990 state elections in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, timber's campaign contributions were substantial enough ($770,984) to rank among the top industries in those states. In federal politics the industry gave $2.25 million in 1990 and $2.27 million in 1992.

In national politics, timber was the most pro-Republican industry in the country. In both 1990 and 1992, the percentage that went to Republican candidates was the highest of any industry: 74% in 1990 and 76% in 1992. In comparison, the defense industry gave 51% to Republicans, banking gave 43% and oil and natural gas gave 58%.

In state politics, the timber contributions were even more partisan, with 93.6% in Idaho, 85% (89% in 1992) in Washington, and 85% in Oregon given to Republican candidates.

In Idaho, timber was the most Republican industry in the state and supplied Republican candidates with nearly as much money as their own party did ($151,564 compared to $154,239). The industry was the third highest contributor and 60% of the candidates they supported won.

In Washington, timber companies also contributed substantially to the statewide business associations such as United for Washington, which gave 95% of their contributions to Republicans.

In Oregon, timber was the third largest contributor to political campaigns and 68% of the candidates they supported won.

NW Timber Industry Contribution Trends
IDAHO

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Idaho timber contributions in 1990 were 5.2 percent of the total for the election cycle. The industry heavily favored Republican candidates, and a majority of the candidates supported won their races.
Of the $165,424 contributed directly to candidates in all races:
 

• 55 percent was contributed to legislative races, with 97 percent of that going to winning Republican candidates.
• 17 percent was contributed to the gubernatorial race, with 77 percent of that going to the Republican candidate, who lost.
• The remaining 28 percent was divided among a slate of candidates for attorney general, auditor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer and various judicial posts. Of this remaining percentage, 95 percent went to the Republican candidates.

Of the $65,490 contributed to non-timber PACs, 83% went to Republican Party PACs. The remaining $11,000 went to United for Idaho, a business PAC that gives 93% of its money to Republicans. Timber interests gave one $500 contribution to a Democratic Party PAC.

Bottom line: Timber gave 93.6 percent of its money to Republicans.
IDAHO 

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OREGON 

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The Oregon Timber industry contributions were 7 percent of the total contributed in the 1990 election cycle. Of the $455,267 timber interests contributed directly to candidates in all races:

• 63 percent was contributed to legislative races, with 57 percent of that going to Republican candidates.
• 37 percent went to winning Republican candidates.
• 36 percent was contributed to the gubernatorial race, with 81 percent of that going to the Republican candidate, who lost.

Bottom line, 85 percent of the timber contributions went to Republicans, a majority of those to winning candidates.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON

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In 1990, timber industry contributions were 4 percent of the total. The industry again heavily favored Republican candidates. Of the $150,292 contributed directly to candidates in all races, 79 percent went to Republican candidates and 50 percent to winning Republican candidates.

Of the $187,567 timber contributed to non-timber PACs:

• $80,480 went to party PACs; 88 percent to Republican PACs.
• $107,092 went to business PACs: $91,467 to United For Washington, which gave 94 percent of its money to Republicans, and $15,625 to the Affordable Housing Council, which gave 63.5 percent of its money to Republicans.

Bottom line, Republicans got 85 percent of the money put into partisan races by timber interests in 1990.

In 1992, contributions by top timber industry contributors were 2.7 percent of the total spent in legislative and statewide races. The industry gave 89 percent of its contributions to Republicans, with 57.5 percent going to winning Republican candidates.
Of the $150,678 timber contributed to non-timber PACs:

• $82,585 went to party PACs; 87 percent of that went to Republican Party PACs.
• 41 percent went to the business PAC United for Washington, which gave 94 percent of its contributions to Republicans.

Bottom line, Republicans got 89 percent of the money put into partisan races by timber interests in 1992.
 

Timber industry contributions in Montana were a scant 1 percent of the 1990 total. Yet, those contributions heavily favored Republicans: 90 percent of the industry's contributions to House and Senate candidates went to Republicans. Only 19 percent of the industry's contributions to legislative candidates went to winning Republicans.
 

Bottom line, 86 percent of all timber contributions went to Republicans

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Timber industry contributions in Alaska were less than 1 percent of the total contributed to campaigns in 1990. Of the $51,900 contributed:

• 63 percent went to legislative candidates; 30 percent to Republicans.
• 37 percent went to gubernatorial candidates; 20 percent to the Republican candidate, who lost.

Bottom line, 50 percent of all timber contributions went to Republicans.

 

NEVADA & UTAH 

Timber industry in these states made no identifiable contributions to 1990 campaigns.

 

© 1993 Western States Center. All rights reserved. 
Material herein may not be reproduced without permission of Western States Center.

© 2004, Western States Center
Modified on December 1, 2004