The wealthier Republicans accounted for most of that, but the Democrats paid for about $700,000 worth of advertising, much of it at the 11th hour.
Within days, the wealthy Republicans sent back word: They were on board.
Mrs. Huffington argued that voters have been more critical of wealthy Republicans than of wealthy Democrats.
As a wealthy, white Republican from New Jersey's horse country, Mrs. Whitman has always been regarded warily by many minority leaders.
New Yorkers did, with the substantial financial encouragement of a wealthy conservative Republican, put a two-term limit on city elected officials a few years ago.
More than 65 companies, and about a dozen wealthy Republicans, contributed.
In addition, the alliance between wealthy white Republicans who finance the movement, and the poor minority parents who are its potential foot soldiers, can be awkward.
More than 50 wealthy Republicans have joined the Regents, which costs them $250,000 apiece.
She stated that her reason for the proposition was that large numbers of wealthy Republicans were already supporting the Mitt Romney campaign for president.
Then, he promised competency, hobnobbed with wealthy white Republicans, pledged to root out corruption at city hall and got some 90 percent of the white vote.