D'Amato endorsed Kasich but donated to Graham

WASHINGTON – Former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato caused a bit of a stir back in the summer when he skipped over New York-area candidates and endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the Republican nomination for president. But his money may be going elsewhere.

The New York Post at the time called the endorsement a “surprise move” and Newsday said he “bypassed” former New York Gov. George Pataki, whom he supported for governor years ago.

D’Amato, in an August statement, said he was backing Kasich because of the importance of winning Ohio in the general election.

“John Kasich is a proven political winner in a very tough state for Republicans,” he said.

But through Sept. 30, the only Republican presidential candidate to receive a donation from D’Amato was Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

D’Amato gave $5,400 to Graham’s campaign on July 29, the maximum individual donation to a presidential campaign.

The donation to Graham stands out considering his endorsement of Kasich, but it fits with the pattern of people affiliated with defense contractors chipping in to Graham’s campaign.

D’Amato, a lobbyist, had previously donated to Graham’s Senate campaign account, including $5,000 in 2013. Lobbying records show D’Amato’s firm, Park Strategies, represents several defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and United Technologies.

Graham, in addition to being a hawk on defense and a leading advocate of a more robust Pentagon budget, is a member of the Senate Armed Forces and Appropriations committees, making him a key figure in how the government spends its military dollars.

D’Amato, in his endorsement of Kasich, also mentioned national security.

“He knows the Pentagon, understands the military, and understands the need for strength as well as a better managed Defense Department,” D’Amato said. “Our troops need the resources to do their jobs safely and deserve to come home to a Department of Veterans Affairs that takes proper care of them.”