While only a handful of Southern Arizonans have so far contributed more than $200,000 to political causes this election cycle, many others have signed hefty checks.
The magnitude of giving for this election, already in the billions nationally, has caused some contributors to question whether their funds have any direct effect - not that doubt has stopped the stream of cash.
"There's so much money around that I don't know what has an effect," said Don Diamond, a Tucson real estate mogul who regularly donates large amounts to politics and other causes. "It represents my family's thinking, and that's what counts."
For Diamond, "both extremes are not good" in politics. "I'm trying to promote democracy," he said. "Some of us send money and don't run."
As political spending accelerates toward Election Day, here are some of Tucson's prominent givers - all of whom have so far laid out more than $75,000, according to federal, state and county campaign finance reports.
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These totals do not include contributions made to certain nonprofit groups that are not required to reveal donors to the Federal Election Commission.
Don and Joan Diamond
Who they are: Chairman of Diamond Ventures Inc., he's a real estate developer and philanthropist. She's a musician and philanthropist.
Party lines: He's Republican. She's a bit more bipartisan.
How much they've spent so far: $185,000.
Who they're backing: Mitt Romney and Jonathan Paton.
Favorite causes: He contributed $55,000 to the Romney campaign and joint fundraising committee. He also gave $10,000 to Gov. Jan Brewer's political action committee, which is buying mailers in support of Paton and against his Democratic opponent, Ann Kirkpatrick.
Surprises: The couple backed Dave Sitton in the CD8 special election GOP primary. But in the CD2 general election, Joan Diamond has given $2,500 to Democrat Ron Barber while Don Diamond has given to no one.
Paul and Alice Baker
Who they are: They ran Arizona Mail Order with Don Diamond as well as The Enterprise Group.
Party lines: Republicans.
How much they've spent so far: $127,000.
Who they're backing: Romney, Jeff Flake and Ron Barber.
Favorite causes: Paul Baker joined Don Diamond in making a donation to UA Friends for Arizona's Future, a group chaired by former Regent Fred Boice that has spent primarily to support Republican state Sen. Rich Crandall.
Like Diamond, Baker also gave to the Desert Caucus, a bipartisan political action committee that aims to promote and strengthen U.S.-Israeli relations.
Surprises: They're backing Democrat Barber in Congressional District 2 and were supporters of Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in the past.
Tohono O'odham Nation
Who it is: The Native American tribe southwest of Tucson owns three Desert Diamond casinos and is angling for another near Glendale.
Party lines: Democrats.
How much the tribe has spent so far: $166,000.
Who it's backing: President Obama, Kirkpatrick, Barber, Raúl Grijalva.
Favorite causes: They gave $25,000 to Residents for Accountability, a Tempe-based group that funnels money to Revitalize Arizona, a political action committee linked to Arizona Senate President Steve Pierce. Revitalize Arizona has opposed conservative Republicans such as Frank Antenori and supported their opponents.
Surprises: They gave almost equal amounts at the state and federal levels.
Pam Grissom
Who she is: Chairwoman of the board and co-founder of Arizona List, a political action committee focused on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights to state and local offices. Her family used to own Milprint, a packaging company.
Party lines: Democrat.
How much she's spent so far: $121,000.
Who she's backing: Obama, Richard Carmona, Kirkpatrick, Barber and Grijalva.
Favorite causes: She gave $9,400 to Emily's List, which supports pro-choice women running for Congress and governor.
Surprises: A big Hillary Clinton backer in 2008, Grissom hasn't given the maximum contribution to Obama. At least, not yet.
Catherene Morton
Who she is: Also known as Renee, she's a retired juvenile court attorney who owns HomeStyle Galleries, a furniture business. She's on the board of the Arizona List and active downtown.
Party lines: Democrat.
How much she's spent: $99,000.
Who she's backing: Obama, Carmona, Kirkpatrick, Barber and Grijalva.
Favorite causes: Like Grissom, she backs women and pro-choice causes. She gave to Emily's List, Arizona List and the political committee of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Surprises: She's backing Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania and Mark Udall in Colorado.
The Ash family
Who they are: Bruce Ash is the Arizona Republican Party's national committeeman and owner of Paul Ash Management Co. His father, Paul Ash, the longtime owner of the real estate development, brokerage and management company, died June 24. Bruce Ash's son Michael also works in the family business.
Party lines: Republicans.
How much they've spent so far: $91,000.
Who they're backing: Romney.
Favorite causes: The Republican Party at all levels. They gave more than $78,000 to GOP groups.
Surprises: The only money the family gave to local candidates was $5,000 to Jesse Kelly in the CD2 race and $430 to county supervisor Ray Carroll.
Edward and Barbara Farmilant
Who they are: He retired from operating nursing homes in Chicago and founded the Prime School of Music and the Southwest School of Music, both now closed. She co-founded a jewelry company, Bountiful Beads Babes.
Party lines: Progressive Democrats.
How much they've spent so far: $78,000.
Who they're backing: Carmona, Kirkpatrick and Grijalva.
Favorite causes: They gave $2,500 to the Progressives United PAC, a group tied to former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, an advocate of campaign finance reform along with Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Surprises: After backing Matt Heinz in the CD2 primary, they haven't put any more money in the CD2 race.
On StarNet: To read yesterday's installment go to azstarnet.com
A two-day report
Friday: Southern Arizona's Big 5 political spenders (if you missed it, find it with today's story online at azstarnet.com).
Today: Rounding out the Top 10, and more.
Contact reporter Carli Brosseau at cbrosseau@azstarnet.com or 573-4197.
