More than half of the roughly $2-million in donations made by the end of July to the Friends of Fred Thompson exploratory committee were given by supporters from the former senator’s home state of Tennessee.
One of the state’s most famous college-football stars was also among the givers. Peyton Manning, who played quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the late 1990s, contributed $2,300 (the maximum allowed for the presidential primary) to Fred Thompson’s committee in June, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Mr. Manning’s wife, Ashley, also gave $2,300 on the same day, the center said.
Mr. Manning is now the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, whom he led to a Super Bowl championship earlier this year.
