Money and politics are a bit like milk and cookies: You can’t really have one without the other. While that’s always been true, the dynamic shifted dramatically in 2010 when super PACs entered the fray, courtesy the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. FEC. The new setup has some political prognosticators anticipating a presidential election that costs upward of $5 billion.
Although Election Day is still months away, super PACs already have raised piles and piles of cash for their preferred candidates and causes. Of the 2016 White House hopefuls still in the race, Hillary Clinton has received the most super PAC support. The three super PACs backing the former secretary of state have raised a combined $94,588,442, according to the most recent campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission.
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An InsideGov analysis of the data reveals that seven-figure contributions from just 24 people dominate pro-Clinton super PAC fundraising. Those donors have given a combined $65,642,904 to the three super PACs — accounting for about 69 percent of the combined total the groups have raised.
InsideGov examines the people who have given at least $1 million to pro-Clinton super PACs, ranking the list from smallest to largest contribution. In the event of a tie, people are listed alphabetically. The data reflects the most recent filings, which include fundraising figures through April 30, 2016.
* Note: Unlike candidate committees, super PACs can collect and spend unlimited sums of money. They cannot collaborate with the official campaign, and therefore cannot pay for things like campaign staffers’ salaries or a candidate’s travel. But super PACs can cut ads and distribute materials that support a specific candidate.
The three super PACs supporting Clinton’s presidential campaign are Priorities USA Action, American Bridge 21st Century and Correct the Record. Read InsideGov’s previous analysis of the groups and their fundraising here.
