CNN Reports the truth on who’s buying elections: Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg
The media loves to tout the “evil” Koch Brothers and how they are buying elections for Republicans. Now a new CNN article paints a different picture for the most expensive midterm in history.
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“The Center for Responsive Politics estimates the midterms will cost $3.67 billion — slightly more than $3.63 billion in 2010 and nearly as much as the $4 billion spent in the last presidential race,” the article notes. “But it’s not just candidates and parties spending the cash. Outside groups are spending record amounts.”
“This includes money spent by groups such as super PACs, which are legally allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts as long as they don’t donate directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns. Some argue this money creates ‘shadow campaigns’ that can dominate the election dialogue…So who gives to these outside groups? Corporations, unions and associations can all contribute, as can individuals…Using data gathered by the CRP, CNN looked at the top individual donors giving to liberal and conservative outside groups.”
Tom Steyer 73.7 million
“Thomas Steyer is the biggest individual donor in this midterm election. He’s spent more than $73.7 million on the midterms so far, with much of the money going to his NextGen Climate Action super PAC, which bills itself as a progressive, pro-environment counterbalance to the wealthy oil industry. He’s pushed to defeat Republican “science deniers” in this year’s midterms.
Michael Bloomberg 20 million
“He’s spent more than $20 million, mostly on Democratic or liberal causes. About $500,000 has gone to Republican candidates.”
Fred Eychaner 7.9 million
“Fred Eychaner is consistently one of the biggest donors to Democrats. He was one of the biggest donors in the 2012 presidential election, giving more than $12 million to super PACs. The 69-year-old has spent more than $7.9 million on this year’s midterms so far, the majority of it going to liberals and democrats.”
The “left leaning” list continues: George Soros 3.56M, James Simons 3.05 M, Donald Sussman 2.05 M, Amy Goldman 1.99 M, George Marcus 1.75M , Herbert Sandler 1.7 M and Jeremy Grantham 1.65 M.
From the “right”
Paul Singer 9.33 million
“A New York-based hedge fund manager, Paul Singer has given more than $9.33 million to conservatives and Republican-leaning super PACs this midterm election.”
Robert L. Mercer 8.07 million
“While Simons supports Democrats and liberal candidates, Mercer favors conservatives, giving $1 million to Ending Spending Action Fund, $2.5 million to B-PAC Freedom Partners Action Fund and more than $1 million to Club for Growth Action.”
Joe Ricketts 6.595 million
“He and his spouse, Marlene, got heavily involved in politics in 2006 after their son Pete unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in their home state of Nebraska. The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent Joe Ricketts has targeted his donations to conservative candidates.”
Sheldon Adelson 5 M, Richard, Uihlein 4.23 M, Bob Perry 3.1, Robert McNair 3.05 M, Jerry Perenchio 3M, Kenneth and Anne Griffin 2,825 M, Warren Stephens 2.658M
Additionally, liberals constitute the top 8 slots on the list of “Organizations Funding” groups – More HERE
