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Politics

Who’s Financing the ‘Super PACs’

A look at the major donors to “super PACs” during the 2012 campaign cycle. Unlike candidates, who can raise a maximum of $2,500 per person for each election, super PACs are independent from candidates and can raise unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations and labor unions, and spend unlimited amounts to support or oppose a candidate. The Times is updating this list as groups file their regular fund-raising reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Super PAC

Photos indicate groups run or
advised by candidate's
former staff or associates

Major donors

Individuals or corporations who gave $25,000 or more.
Those who made all or part of their donations in March 2012 are shown in yellow.

Share from large donors

Donations of $25,000 or more

Raised
campaign
to date

Raised in
March 2012

Restore Our Future

Mitt Romney
A super PAC created by former aides to Mitt Romney. It has spent much of its money attacking his opponents.
Bob J. Perry
Houston homebuilder who was a major financier of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004.
$4.0 mil.
Julian Robertson
Founder of Tiger Management, a hedge fund.
$1.3 mil.
Kenneth C. Griffin
Founder and chief executive of Citadel LLC.
$1.1 mil.
Edward Conard
Investor and former top executive at Bain Capital, the private equity firm Mr. Romney helped start.
$1.0 mil.
James S. Davis
Chairman of New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc.
$1.0 mil.
Eli Publishing Inc.
Connected to Steven J. Lund, a top executive at Nu Skin Enterprises.
$1.0 mil.
F8 LLC
Shares a Provo, Utah, address with Eli Publishing Inc., which leads to an accounting firm.
$1.0 mil.
Bill Marriott
Chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International.
$1.0 mil.
Richard Marriott
Chairman of Host Hotels & Resorts. In 2010, Mr. Marriott and his wife gave Mr. Romney more than $200,000 through the state-based affiliates of Mr. Romney's federal PAC, Free and Strong America.
$1.0 mil.
Melaleuca
An Idaho-based health and wellness products company; donations were made under the names of four associated companies.
$1.0 mil.
Show 278 More
97%
$51.9 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$8.7 mil.
American Crossroads

No known
candidate
ties
This super PAC was active in many Congressional races during the 2010 midterm elections and has Karl Rove as its senior adviser. Crossroads GPS, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit group that is affiliated with the super PAC and does not have to disclose its donors, has spent at least $20 million on ads criticizing President Obama.
Harold Simmons
Dallas billionaire who was among the top donors to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
$10.0 mil.
Bob J. Perry
Houston homebuilder who was a major financier of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004.
$2.5 mil.
Contran Corporation
Private holding company owned by Harold Simmons, a Dallas billionaire who has been among the top donors to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
$2.0 mil.
Jerry Perenchio Living Trust
Affiliated with Jerry Perenchio, the chief executive of Chartwell Partners.
$2.0 mil.
Philip H. Geier
Founder of the Geier Group, a marketing and communications consulting firm. Chairman and chief executive officer of Interpublic, a global advertising and marketing services company, from 1977 to 2000.
$1.0 mil.
Kenneth C. Griffin
Founder and chief executive of Citadel LLC.
$1.0 mil.
Irving Moskowitz
Miami hospital magnate and founder of the Moskowitz Foundation, which owns a California bingo hall that finances Israeli housing developments in an Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
$1.0 mil.
Robert B. Rowling
A Texas billionaire whose TRT Holdings owns Omni Hotels and Gold's Gym.
$1.0 mil.
TRT Holdings Inc.
Owns Omni Hotels and Gold's Gym. Its chief executive is Texas billionaire Robert B. Rowling.
$1.0 mil.
Whiteco Industries, Inc.
Outdoor advertising company.
$1.0 mil.
Show 37 More
94%
$28.1 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$1.2 mil.
Winning Our Future

Newt Gingrich
This super PAC was created by Becky Burkett, the former chief development officer for American Solutions, a PAC that Newt Gingrich founded.
Miriam Adelson
Physician; wife of Sheldon Adelson.
$12.5 mil.
Sheldon Adelson
Billionaire casino owner and Newt Gingrich’s longtime friend and patron.
$7.5 mil.
Harold Simmons
Dallas billionaire who was among the top donors to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
$1.1 mil.
Shelley Maye Adelson
Daughter of Sheldon Adelson.
$500,000
Sivan Ochshorn
The youngest daughter of Miriam Adelson.
$500,000
W.S. Propst
An Alabama real estate investor.
$500,000
Margaret C. Caveney
Homemaker in North Palm Beach, Fla.
$250,000
Oren Lukatz
Husband of Yasmin Lukatz.
$250,000
Yasmin Lukatz
Daughter of Miriam Adelson.
$250,000
Abigail K. Kawananakoa
Philanthropist and descendant of Hawaiian monarchs.
$100,000
Show 2 More
99%
$23.9 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$5.1 mil.
Priorities USA Action

Barack Obama
Bill Burton, a former Obama White House aide, heads this Democratic super PAC, which has not been as active as its Republican counterparts.
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Chief executive of Dreamworks Animation.
$2.0 mil.
Kareem Ahmed
Chief executive of Landmark Medical Management in California.
$1.0 mil.
Bill Maher
Comedian and entertainer.
$1.0 mil.
Service Employees International Union
Labor union.
$1.0 mil.
Fred Eychaner
An Obama bundler and Chicago media mogul.
$500,000
Priorities USA
A 501(c)4 group connected with the super PAC that does not have to disclose its donors.
$215,234
William E. Little
Chairman of George Little Management, an organizer of trade shows.
$150,000
Reinier Beeuwkes
President of Ischemix, a Massachusetts pharmaceutical company.
$100,000
John C. Law
Managing director of Warland Investments Company.
$100,000
Perennial Strategy Group, LLC
Consulting and lobbying firm in Washington, D.C.
$100,000
Show 23 More
96%
$9.0 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$2.5 mil.
Red White and Blue Fund

Rick Santorum
This committee, founded by a former Iowa adviser to former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, is one of two super PACs that supported his candidacy.
William J. Dore
President of Dore Energy.
$2.3 mil.
Foster S. Friess
Wealthy mutual fund manager who supports Christian and conservative causes. Major investor in the Daily Caller news website led by Tucker Carlson.
$2.1 mil.
Annette Simmons
Executive at Dallas-based Contran Coroporation, a private holding company owned by her husband Harold Simmons.
$1.2 mil.
Dr. John M. Templeton Jr.
President and chairman of the John Templeton Foundation; former chairman of Let Freedom Ring, an independent conservative group that supported President Bush in 2004.
$265,000
Jack E. Caveney
Retired chariman of Panduit Corp., an electrical components company.
$200,000
Kimber Manufacturing Inc.
A Yonkers, N.Y., manufacturer of classic firearms.
$200,000
Richard F. Barry
Attorney in San Rafael, Calif.
$150,000
James L. Gagan
Founder of the United Consumers Club, a membership buying company.
$100,000
Norman Miller
Chairman of Dallas-based Interstate Battery System of America.
$100,000
Steven G. Mihaylo
Chairman and chief executive of iMergent, Inc., a provider of e-commerce software.
$90,000
Show 11 More
94%
$8.3 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$2.6 mil.
Club for Growth Action

No known
candidate
ties
The super PAC arm of the conservative Club for Growth, a group advocating lower taxes that frequently enters Republican congressional primaries.
Virginia James
Lambertville, N.J. investor; on the leadership council of The Club for Growth.
$1.0 mil.
Robert Arnott
Founder of Research Affiliates, a California-based investment firm.
$500,000
Team DeMint
Fundraising committee tied to Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina
$500,000
Jackson Stephens
Chairman and chief executive of ExOxEmis, an Arkansas-based biotechnology firm. Member of the board of The Club for Growth.
$425,000
Robert Mercer
Co-chief executive at Renaissance Technologies Corp., a hedge fund company.
$350,000
Marilyn Hayden
Retired, Scottsdale, Ariz. Wife of Jerry Hayden, retired president of a food-packaging company.
$300,000
Richard Gaby
Trustee of the Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation; husband of Barb Van Andel-Gaby, a trustee of the Heritage Foundation and daughter of the late Jay Van Andel, co-founder of Amway.
$200,000
Richard Uihlein
Chief executive of U-Line, a Wisconsin freezer company.
$200,000
Fred Young
Racine, Wisc. Former Owner, Young Radiator Company. On the board at the Cato Institute, a nonprofit research group in Washington founded by Charles G. Koch and Edward H. Crane.
$200,000
John Childs
Chairman and chief executive of J.W. Childs Associates, a private equity firm.
$125,000
Show 22 More
81%
$5.9 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$705,367
Workers' Voice

No known
candidate
ties
Formed by the AFL-CIO and funded mainly by its member labor unions, Workers' Voice is spending on get out the vote operations.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Public services employees union.
$2.2 mil.
American Federation of Teachers
Labor union representing teachers.
$1.0 mil.
UNITE HERE TIP
PAC of the UNITE HERE labor union.
$1.0 mil.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Public services employees union.
$500,000
American Federation of Government Employees PAC
PAC of the union representing primarily federal workers.
$100,000
American Postal Workers Union PAC
PAC of the postal workers union.
$125,000
Committee on Letter Carriers PAC
PAC of the letter carriers union.
$500,000
IBEW PAC
PAC of the The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
$276,587
International Union of Operating Engineers PAC
PAC of the union representing construction workers.
$100,000
National Air Traffic Controllers Association PAC
PAC of the air traffic controllers union.
$100,000
100%
$5.9 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$1.2 mil.
American Bridge 21st Century

No known
candidate
ties
A Democratic-leaning super PAC founded by David Brock, the Democratic operative and activist. The group has a non-profit arm, American Bridge 21st Century Foundation.
Anne Earhart
Investor, Corona del Mar, Calif. Granddaughter of oil baron J. Paul Getty.
$600,000
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Public services employees union.
$575,000
American Bridge 21st Century Foundation
A 501(c)4 group connected with the super PAC that does not have to disclose its donors.
$271,008
Nancy Beeuwkes
Retired, Concord, Mass.
$200,000
Susie T. Buell
Co-founder of the clothing company Esprit and former bundler for Hillary Clinton.
$200,000
David Lawrence DesJardins
Consultant, former software engineer at Google.
$200,000
Paul Egerman
Co-founder of eScription Inc. and member of a committee that advises the Department of Health and Human Services.
$200,000
Agnes Gund
President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
$200,000
Peter B. Lewis
Chairman of Progressive Insurance Company.
$200,000
Stephen M. Silberstein
Retired, Belvedere Tiburon, Calif.; former president of Innovative Interfaces Inc., a computer software company.
$200,000
Show 33 More
95%
$5.8 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$2.1 mil.
Make Us Great Again

Rick Perry
A super PAC that was supporting Gov. Rick Perry of Texas before he left the race, headed by Mike Toomey, Mr. Perry's former chief of staff.
Contran Corporation
Private holding company owned by Harold Simmons, a Dallas billionaire who has been among the top donors to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
$1.0 mil.
S. Javaid Anwar
President of Midland Energy, a West Texas energy company. Filings with the Federal Election Commission from last November show that the campaign of Gov. Rick Perry owed Mr. Anwar $66,362.50 in travel debts, apparently for use of a private jet. Later filings showed the debt to be paid.
$250,000
Tony Buzbee
Personal injury lawyer at Buzbee Law Firm.
$250,000
Darwin A. Deason
Billionaire entrepreneur who founded Affiliated Computer Services, an information technology firm.
$250,000
Brint Ryan
Founder and chief executive of the Ryan LLC accounting firm.
$250,000
Kelcy L. Warren
Chief executive and chairman of the board of Energy Transfer Partners, a Texas-based energy company.
$250,000
Mike Toomey
Founder of the super PAC; lobbyist, former legislator and one-time chief of staff to Mr. Perry of Texas.
$102,174
Stephen I. Chazen
President and chief operating officer of Occidental Petroleum Corp.
$100,000
Paul L. Foster
Chairman of Western Refining Company, a Texas oil refiner and marketer. Mr. Foster spent almost $20,000 flying Gov. Perry to a trade meeting in Mexico, where the governor asked Mexican energy officials to consider more joint ventures with Texas oil companies.
$100,000
David L. Haug
Co-owner of Arctas Capital Group, an energy-sector investment firm.
$100,000
Show 25 More
97%
$5.6 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$100,060
Congressional Leadership Fund

No known
candidate
ties
This super PAC was formed to support House Republicans and is headed by Brian Walsh, the former political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
American Action Network
A 501(c)4 group connected with the Congressional Leadership Fund that does not have to disclose its donors.
$28,502
Sheldon Adelson
Billionaire casino owner and Newt Gingrich’s longtime friend and patron.
$2.5 mil.
Miriam Adelson
Physician; wife of Sheldon Adelson.
$2.5 mil.
Hilmar Cheese Company
$25,000
96%
$5.2 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$5.1 mil.
House Majority PAC

No known
candidate
ties
A super PAC established to support Democratic House members and candidates.
Laborers' Political League Education Fund
Labor group.
$475,000
S. Donald Sussman
Founder and chairman at Paloma Partners LLC.
$400,000
Fred Eychaner
An Obama bundler and Chicago media mogul.
$250,000
International Association of Fire Fighters FIREPAC
PAC of a labor union representing firefighters.
$250,000
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Public services employees union.
$200,000
American Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education
PAC of the American Federation of Teachers.
$200,000
DRIVE - Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education
PAC of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labor union.
$200,000
United Food & Commercial Workers International Union Active Ballot Club
PAC of the food industry union.
$200,000
Service Employees International Union COPE
PAC of the labor union.
$185,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC
PAC of the trade union.
$150,000
Show 19 More
95%
$4.5 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$1.5 mil.
Majority PAC

No known
candidate
ties
A super PAC established to support Democratic senators and candidates.
James H. Simons
President of Euclidean Capital and Board Chair of Renaissance Technologies Corp., a hedge fund company.
$1.5 mil.
Bernard L. Schwartz
Chairman and chief executive of BLS Investments Inc.
$300,000
Stephen Bing
Movie producer.
$250,000
Service Employees International Union COPE
PAC of the labor union.
$250,000
American Association For Justice PAC
PAC of the trial lawyer association.
$200,000
DRIVE - Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education
PAC of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labor union.
$200,000
Guy D. Gundlach
Retired, Las Vegas.
$150,000
William E. Little
Chairman of George Little Management, an organizer of trade shows.
$150,000
Stephen J. Cloobeck
Chairman and chief executive of Diamond Resorts International.
$100,000
Elaine McKay Family Inv. LP
Laguna Beach, Calif.
$100,000
Show 12 More
96%
$4.2 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$1.7 mil.
FreedomWorks for America

No known
candidate
ties
This committee is a wing of FreedomWorks, a nonprofit organization led by Dick Armey, the former House majority leader.
FreedomWorks
A 501(c)4 group connected with the super PAC that does not have to disclose its donors.
$1.6 mil.
Crow Holdings, LLC
A real estate investment firm headed by the Trammell Crow family of Dallas.
$250,000
Richard Uihlein
Chief executive of U-Line, a Wisconsin freezer company.
$250,000
Donald Oeters
Owner of EnterTRAINment Junction in Cincinnati, Ohio.
$150,000
Foster S. Friess
Wealthy mutual fund manager who supports Christian and conservative causes. Major investor in the Daily Caller news website led by Tucker Carlson.
$100,000
Jerry L. Hayden
Scottsdale, Ariz. Retired president of a food-packaging company.
$100,000
Myrna Darland
Wife of Michae Darland of Bellevue, co-founder of Digital Systems Inc., a telecommunications company.
$50,000
Conway Ivy
Retired, Beaufort, S.C.
$50,000
Ann Kerchville
Chairman and chief executive of Kercheville & Company
$50,000
Herbert Siegel
Retired media investor, New York.
$50,000
Show 3 More
60%
$3.7 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$294,495
Endorse Liberty

No known
candidate
ties
Endorse Liberty supports Ron Paul's campaign and has spent money on online advertisements.
Peter Thiel
Technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, a founder of PayPal and Clarium Capital Management.
$2.6 mil.
Stephen Oskoui
Founder and chief executive of Smiley Media, an Internet advertising company.
$471,230
Margaret McMahon
San Antonio, Tex. Linked to the Boilingstone Energy Corp.
$200,000
Gunter Marksteiner
Florida television station owner.
$163,252
Scott Banister
Technology entrepreneur and investor; a founder of IronPort, a Web security appliance provider.
$50,000
95%
$3.7 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$13,104
N.E.A. Advocacy Fund

No known
candidate
ties
A super PAC created and funded by the National Education Association, the nation's largest labor union.
National Education Association
Labor union representing teachers.
$3.5 mil.
99%
$3.5 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$3.0 mil.
Our Destiny

Jon M.
Huntsman Jr.
This super PAC supported Jon M. Huntsman Jr. before he left the race. A former Huntsman campaign aide, Fred Davis, helps run the committee.
Jon M. Huntsman Sr.
Father of Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and executive chairman of the Huntsman Corporation.
$2.2 mil.
Robert Arnott
Founder of Research Affiliates, a California-based investment firm.
$250,000
James R. Swartz
Founding partner of Accel Partners, a venture capital firm.
$100,000
Jim Walton
Chairman and chief executive of Arvest Bank Group and son of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.
$100,000
C. Boyden Gray
Washington lawyer, former diplomat and White House counsel in the first Bush administration.
$50,000
William E. Oberndorf
Founding partner of SPO Partners, an investment firm.
$50,000
Nicholas F. Taubman
President of Mozart Investments and former ambassador to Romania.
$50,000
Christy R. Walton
Philanthropist and widow of John Walton, Walmart founder's son.
$50,000
Craig McCaw
Cellphone pioneer and founder of McCaw Cellular and Clearwire.
$37,500
Susan McCaw
President of COM Investments, a private investment firm. Former ambassador to Austria.
$37,500
96%
$3.2 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$0
Revolution PAC

Ron Paul
A super PAC supporting Ron Paul, Revolution PAC has among its advisory board members Mr. Paul's former chief legal counsel for his 2008 campaign and his former political director.
Ray McBarry
Owner of Ray McBerry Enterprises, Inc., a radio and television company; 2010 candidate for governor of Georgia.
$250,000
38%
$1.2 mil.
Through Mar. 31
$528,643
Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow

No known
candidate
ties
This super PAC was created by the comedian Stephen Colbert, and it ran advertisements in his home state, South Carolina, before the primary there in support of Herman Cain, who suspended his campaign in December.
The comedian Stephen Colbert's super PAC raised nearly all of its money in donations of less than $200.
0%
$1.1 mil.
Through Feb. 29
$33,162
9-9-9 Fund

Herman Cain
This super PAC supported the candidacy of Herman Cain, the former chief executive of Godfather's Pizza, before he suspended his campaign in December.
Unlike many of the other super PACs, the 9-9-9 Fund raised the bulk of its money from donations of less than $200. Just one person gave $5,000.
0%
$617,670
Through Mar. 31
$0
Restoring Prosperity Fund

No known
candidate
ties
This super PAC began as "Americans for Rick Perry," but changed its name and spent money before the Iowa Straw Poll in August 2011.
Harold Simmons
Dallas billionaire who was among the top donors to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
$100,000
Dealer Computer Services Inc.
Houston-based computer manufacturer and supply company and part of Universal Computer Systems, headed by Robert T. Brockman.
$50,000
James Pitcock Jr.
Chairman and chief executive of Williams Brothers Construction Company, the largest highway contractor in Texas.
$50,000
Kenny A. Troutt
Founder of the telecom company Excel Communications.
$50,000
Withers Energy Group LP
Texas-based company that develops energy management systems and products.
$35,000
Anderson Columbia Company
Construction company headed by T. H. McRae.
$25,000
Nathan Crain
President of Crain Information Systems.
$25,000
George Mihlsten
Partner in the Los Angeles law office of Latham & Watkins LLP.
$25,000
84%
$433,256
Through Dec. 31
Feb. 2012 report
not yet available
Santa Rita SuperPAC

No known
candidate
ties
A Texas committee that supports Ron Paul's candidacy, this super PAC bought television advertising time in South Carolina.
Mark Hart
Founder of Corriente Advisors, a private investment firm; predicted the American subprime market and the European debt crises.
$50,000
Shannon Hart
Wife of Mark Hart, a hedge fund manager.
$50,000
Donald B. Huffines
Dallas-based real estate developer.
$50,000
Patrick Walker
Pathologist; Director of Nephropath laboratory in Little Rock, Ark.
$50,000
David W. Tice
Investment fund manager and founder of the Prudent Bear Fund.
$25,000
75%
$432,819
Through Mar. 31
$198,723
D.G.A. Action Fund

No known
candidate
ties
An offshoot of the Democratic Governors Association, this super PAC has spent smaller amounts of money in the presidential race, mostly in Facebook ads.
Democratic Governors Association
PAC supporting election of Democratic governors.
$48,339
9%
$412,221
Through Mar. 31
$186,079
Leaders for Families Super PAC

No known
candidate
ties
The second of two super PACs formed to support Rick Santorum. Its founders have ties to an organization opposed to same-sex marriage.
Red White and Blue Fund
Another super PAC supporting Rick Santorum for president.
$75,000
Foster S. Friess
Wealthy mutual fund manager who supports Christian and conservative causes. Major investor in the Daily Caller news website led by Tucker Carlson.
$50,000
Charles Parlato
President of C&C Shorelands, a real estate development company.
$25,000
88%
$169,512
Through Mar. 31
$19,462