"Scott Walker enters the Republican presidential race with far stronger ties to the party�s biggest fund-raisers than any other candidate besides Jeb Bush."

Derek Willis at the NYT analyzes Federal Election Commission records and state records:

Roughly half of the nation�s top 250 Republican donors have given money to Mr. Walker in his campaigns for Wisconsin governor.... By comparison, 30 percent have given to Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, 20 percent to Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and 10 percent to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey....

Mr. Walker�s previous support from Republican donors... can ease his path to raising money... Beyond money, the support from donors is a sign to other party leaders that he is a serious candidate....

Mr. Walker pulled in many of the top party donors during his 2012 recall contest, which attracted national attention....