BOSTON - A political action committee established by friends and supporters of Gov. Mitt Romney has distributed more than $250,000 to Republican candidates and county GOP organizations across the nation, an early strategy often used by candidates considering a run for president.

Much of the money has been spent in states that are considered key battlegrounds for the Republican primaries in the 2008 presidential race, including $87,000 in Michigan, more than $76,000 in Iowa, and $43,000 in South Carolina.

Romney's allies said the donations do not mean the Massachusetts governor is planning a presidential run, but that he is "a rising star in the national Republican Party," PAC director Trent Wisecup said.

Political operatives in states where most of the money has been spent said Romney is following the path of prior successful presidential nominees.

"What the governor is doing is smart politics," said Luke Byars, executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party, which hosts the first presidential primary in the south. "Our motto at the Republican National Convention was 'We elect presidents.' If you're going to be successful in your run, you have to come through South Carolina."

Commonwealth PAC is funded largely by Romney's former colleagues at Bain Capital, as well as state Republican Party chairman Darrell Crate and Staples Inc. founder Thomas Stemberg.

Romney has appeared or is planning personal appearances in many of the key states too, including a Feb. 21 speech before the Spartanburg County, S.C. Republican Party.

The PAC has spent the most money in Michigan, a swing state in last year's election that narrowly voted for Sen. John Kerry, but in which the Romney name has clout. Romney's father, George, was governor in Michigan from 1963 to 1969.

"The name Romney certainly is well respected in Michigan," said state Sen. Michelle McManus, who has received $1,000 from Commonwealth PAC.

But while McManus said it's too early to back Romney or any other potential candidate, the Massachusetts governor is the choice of one Iowa lawmaker.

"He just impressed me and not simply because he donated to my campaign," said state Sen. Brad Zaun, who received $1,000 for the PAC and said Romney "is at the top of my list of someone I would support for president."

Romney is aware and supportive of the PAC but has no say in how it is run, said his communications director, Eric Fehrnstrom.

Although Romney has been mentioned as a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2008, he has insisted that he will run for re-election as governor next year. The fact that he has never ruled out a White House run and his trips out of state have drawn criticism from Democrats who say he is not taking care of business in Massachusetts.

Romney is not alone in getting a jump in some Republican battleground states. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and New York Gov. George Pataki have also established PACs or begun distributing money to local party leaders.

"People realize after 2000 that South Carolina, that's the ball game," Byars said. "If you don't get ahead early, put your team together and know the key grass-roots activists, you just can't play here."