Farmer, R

<h2>RICHARD T. ‘DICK’ FARMER</h2>

Net Worth: $1.0 billion

Donations to ASWF: $100,000

Bush Pioneer</div>

<p><em>The Right-Wing Rag Man</em>

<strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Cincinnati’s other billionaire, Dick Farmer owns Cintas Corporation, the “<a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/10/07billionaires_Richard-Farmer_BUQ3.html">nation’s largest uniform rental company</a>.” With deep ties to Washington conservatives, Cintas has successfully fought <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31714-2004May16.html">environmental</a> and <a href="http://www.cintasexposed.org/">labor regulations</a> for its industrial laundries. However, its continued <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/11/business/11cintas.html">union-busting</a>, <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/13/BA8F118ET1.DTL">labor abuses</a> and even postal fraud are costing the corporation <a href="http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/1211/120_print.html">millions in fees</a>. In the 2000 election cycle, “Farmer gave <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/mojo_400/15_farmer.html">$721,000 to the Republicans</a>, making him the second-largest individual donor to the GOP.”

<strong>QUOTES:</strong></p>

<p>“I don’t expect any special treatment when I give my money. All I want is decent government.” [Cincinnati Enquirer, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/mojo_400/15_farmer.html">1997</a>]

“If you think I’m giving money to get access to [President Bush], you’re crazy. I’m just trying to get the right guy elected. That’s all I care about.” [Washington Post, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31714-2004May16.html">3/17/04</a>]</p>

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