Republican Party gives money to three state organizations

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The national Republican Party has donated more than $500,000 to three Oklahoma organizations. <br><br>The donations were part of an arrangement for the party to get leftover campaign

Monday, February 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The national Republican Party has donated more than $500,000 to three Oklahoma organizations.

The donations were part of an arrangement for the party to get leftover campaign money from retired Congressman Wes Watkins.

The Republican Party donated $275,000 to the Oklahoma State University Foundation, $140,000 to Rural Enterprises of Durant, and $100,000 to the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education.

The donations came as Watkins transferred $350,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee in September and October from his campaign account.

Watkins chose the organizations that got the money and has ties to all three.

The party was willing to donate more money than Watkins transferred because it was exchanging so-called soft money donations for hard money.