The Iowa race is "our highest priority," Romney said.

Handing out money to candidates in Iowa, the scene of the nation's first presidential caucus, is always a good move for a politician gearing up for a presidential bid. But this money came from the Republican Governors Association, which Romney leads and has a clear voice in how campaign donations are divvied up.

Romney, the former head of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City who now chairs the multimillion-dollar election machine for governors, has used his spot heading the RGA to traverse the country and drop millions into states, helping Republican candidates and, coincidentally, currying favor with conservatives on his way to a potential 2008 presidential bid.

This year, the organization has pumped "far north of $15 million" into campaigns for Republican gubernatorial candidates, according to the organization. Available records show nearly $6 million given directly to candidates or state parties during Romney's term, from $1.25 million in Iowa to $1 million for Florida.

That's not unusual from past cycles when the RGA - set up to boost and promote Republican governors and candidates - donated to races across the country. But Romney's near-celebrity status has ramped up contributions to record-setting levels.

Romney's prominent position also gives him invaluable face time with Republicans across the country he may be relying on in a presidential race.

"It doesn't hurt," Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a Tribune interview. "It helps him demonstrate his strength as a potential nominee."

The RGA doles out funds according to where the most impact can be made, according to executive director, Phil Musser, and the decision rests with the group's executive board, which Romney chairs.

So far in 2006, the RGA has pumped $750,000 into the Oregon campaign for Ron Saxton, who is behind in the polls to incumbent Democrat Ted Kulongoski, but gaining. But it has also tossed $1 million to Florida's Charlie Crist, who is leading Democrat Jim Davis by 15 to 16 points in recent polls.

And Iowa has seen $800,000 flow directly from the RGA to Nussle and another $450,000 to the Iowa First Foundation, records show.

Jared Young, a spokesman for Romney's Commonwealth Political Action Committee, says Romney's "focus at this point is on nothing other than helping Republican candidates at all levels of government . . . have the best election in 2006."

Across the aisle, though, there's skepticism.

The RGA has given $1 million to Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, and nearly $900,000 to Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, who is running to take Romney's place. Both candidates are multimillionaires, points out Brian Namey, spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association.

"It makes you wonder where [Romney's] priorities are," Namey says. It makes you question "whether his focus is on 2006 or 2008."

Musser, the RGA director, says there's no question the focus is squarely on 2006. And with Romney's leadership, the group has raised more money in nine months than in previous full years.

"Functionally, our job here is to make sure that candidates and challengers have the resources they need to compete," Musser says. "In that regard, the RGA under Mitt Romney's leadership has outperformed."

Christopher Arterton, dean of the graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, says Romney's heading the RGA would help his presidential aspirations in many ways, especially his ability to meet active party members in various states. It may not cement a vote, he says, but "if you're impressive, maybe they give you a second look."

Gillespie also heralds Romney's celebrity status as boosting Republican contenders and incumbents nationwide.

Romney is an asset, Gillespie says. "There's star power. He can go in for Republican governors candidates as head of the RGA and not only give him a boost with some financial resources, but give them a boost with energy and buzz and get volunteers fired up. He is a leading figure in the party."

What's unknown is whether Romney will carry any baggage for expected losses this November for Republican gubernatorial candidates. Romney conceded on CNN last week Democrats likely will hold a majority of governors' offices after the election.

"The governors' races are tough, because Republican governors are - are not running for re-election in nine different states," Romney told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "Only one Democrat isn't running for re-election. So, the question is, will we lose six or eight governorships, or even more? But we will probably lose quite a few."

Arterton says that could hurt Romney in some ways, but the position still has plenty of positives. "It's potentially a two-edge sword," he says. But "the backswing is considerably duller than the front side."

Musser notes it is a difficult year for Republican governors, but that Romney has helped draw record coffers. The RGA raised $20 million this year compared to the DGA's $14 million.

Meanwhile, the RGA also has added to its payroll a few of Romney's main fundraisers. Since about the time Romney became head of the organization, the RGA has paid some $48,000 to Utah-based Big Cottonwood Group, which is run by Max Farbman, one of Romney's top fundraisers for his PAC.

The RGA also has paid some $105,000 to Boston-based SJC Consulting.

Musser says the RGA employs fund-raisers across the country and both companies are top-notch in their field. He singled out Farbman, a fundraiser for the previous three Utah governors, as a "well-known Utah political figure."

tburr@sltrib.com