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Adelsons Give $20,000 to Menendez Legal Fund
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4/15/2016
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Sheldon Adelson, chairman of Nevada's Las Vegas Sands Corporation, and his spouse, Miriam, a physician with the Adelson Drug Clinic, each contributed the year maximum of $10,000 to Sen. Robert Menendez's legal defense fund during the first quarter of 2016.
The Robert Menendez Legal Expense Trust, an account that files with the Internal Revenue Service as a Section 527 political organization, filed a first quarter report on April 15th stating it had receipts of $316,031 and expenditures of $255,493. Sen. Menendez is under indictment on federal corruption charges.
Other $10,000 donors included Benjamin Klein (Platinum Health Care, NJ); Batya Klein (Platinum Health Care, NJ); Lawrence Inserra Jr. (Inserra Supermarkets, NJ); Nikos Mouyiaris (Mana Products, NY); Howard Jones (IDT Corp., NY); Grover Connell (The Connell Co., NJ); Patricia Connell (The Connell Co., NJ); Guillermo De La Vina (Sigue Corp., CA); Harley Lippman (Genesis 10, NY); Marie Lippman (homemaker, NY); Richard Pachulski (Pachulski Stang Ziehl Jones LLC, CA); KRE Management Co., NJ); Lisa Kohn (homemaker, CA); Imaad Zuberi (Avenue Ventures, CA); and CoryPAC (DC), the leadership PAC of Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ.
The Trust paid $234,767 for legal services, including $200,000 to Chadbourne Parle LLP (NY); $25,000 to Greenbaum Rowe Smith Davis LLP (NJ); and $9,737 to Perkins Coie LLP (WA).
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CY2015 Tax Returns of Obama and Biden Released
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4/15/2016
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The White House has released to the public the CY2015 tax return of President Obama and the First Lady, as well as the return of Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. For earlier years, use Political MoneyLine's campaign finance profile, and click on the "Personal $" tab.
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Super PACs Still Collecting Big Bucks (updated)
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4/15/2016
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Super PACs are still collecting unlimited amounts from major donors trying to impact on the 2016 elections, according to newly filed campaign finance reports for the first quarter.
Jay Faison (president, Clearpath Action, NC) gave $1,500,000 to Clearpath Action Inc. (R). S. Donald Sussman (chairman, Trust Asset Management, ME) gave $600,000 to Working For Us PAC (D). Seth Klarman (president, The Baupost Group LLC, MA) gave $500,000 to American Unity PAC (D) and $100,000 to Fighting for Ohio Fund (D). Robert Mercer (financial consultant, Renaissance Technologies, NY) gave $500,000 to New York Wins PAC (R). Richard Uihlein (CEO, Uline Corp., IL) gave $500,000 to Citizen PAC Inc. (R) Julian Robertson (chairman, Tiger Management LLC, NY) gave $500,000 to Clearpath Action Inc. (R). Virginia James (private investor, NJ) gave $300,000 to Women Speak Out PAC (R). Coastal Construction Group (FL) gave $300,000 to Floridians for a Strong Middle Class (D). FreedomVote Inc. (OH)(501c4) gave $300,000 to Fighting for Ohio Fund (D). Gregory Wendt (finance, Capitol Group, CA) gave $250,000 to Arizona Grassroots Action PAC (R). Bernard Marcus (chairman, Marcus Foundation, GA) gave $250,000 to Let America Work (R). Ronald Cameron (chairman, Mountaire Corp., AR) gave $250,000 to America Ascendant PAC (R). Ronald Firman (retired, FL) gave $205,000 to Values are Vital (R). James Schiff (professor, Univ. of Cincinnati, OH) with spouse, gave $200,000 to New Leadership for Ohio (D). Cari Tuna (president, Open Philanthropy Project, CA) gave $165,000 to The People's Action Party. John Childs (chairman, J.W. Childs Associates, FL) gave $150,000 to Fighting for Florida Fund (R). Pierre M. Omidyar (philanthropist, CA) gave $100,000 to Never Trump PAC.
This listing will be updated as more reports are received. Quarterly filers must report by April 15th. Political MoneyLine subscribers may view a full listing of prior major donors to Super PACs (and their aggregate amount given this cycle) in our Super PAC Database. |
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Trone Puts Up $10 Million For Congressional Race
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4/15/2016
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A Congressional candidate in an April 26th Democratic primary campaign has funded his campaign with $10 million of his own money.
David Trone, D-MD, is running in the 8th Congressional District to fill the seat now held by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who is running for the U.S. Senate.David Trone for Congress reported Thursday night it had receipts of $9,973,690 and disbursements of $9,026,748 from July 23, 2015 through April 6, 2016, leaving $946,941 cash-on-hand as of April 6th, and debts of $33,640. Trone has contributed $9,968,000 to his own campaign, including $8,050,000 in 2016. The major expenditure was $5,800,271 for media advertising.
Although Trone reported for figures for an eight month period, the other Democratic candidates in the primary are reporting for the period January 1, 2016 through April 6th.
Kathleen Matthews' campaign committee reported receipts of $1,007,322 and disbursements of $1,731,190, leaving $424,060 cash-on-hand as of April 6th., and debts of $500,000. For her entire campaign, she had receipts of $2,576,537 and disbursements of $2,152,477. She has loaned her committee $500,000.
Jamie Raskin for Congress reported receipts of $561,687 and disbursements of $806,583 leaving $624,434 in cash-on-hand as of April 6th. He has contributed $2,700 to his campaign. For his entire campaign Raskin had receipts of $1,867,547 and disbursements of $1,243,114.
The Kumar Barve campaign reported receipts of $70,457 and disbursements of $607,000 leaving $64,410 cash-on-hand as of April 6th, and debts of $833. For his entire campaign he had receipts of $607,000 and disbursements of $542,591. He contributed $8,311 to his own campaign.
Will Jawando for Congress reported receipts of $125,596 and disbursements of $262,003 leaving $79,041 cash-on-hand as of April 6th. For his entire campaign, Jawando had receipts of $482,784 and disbursements of $403,743.
Ana Sol-Gutierrez for Congress reported receipts of $22,085 and disbursements of $23,966, leaving $167,602 cash-on-hand as of April 6th., and debts of $945,000. For her entire campaign she had receipts of $263,653 and disbursements of $64,333. She loaned her campaign $945,000.
First quarter 2016 campaign finance reports for all federal candidates are due by April 15th.
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Super PAC Gets $1.8 Million More From Candidate's Husband
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4/14/2016
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A super PAC has received $1.8 million from the husband of a 2016 Congressional candidate, and spent $664K on what the PAC reports are independent expenditures supporting that candidate.
Maryland USA, a super PAC, reported Thursday afternoon it had receipts of $1,801,000 and disbursements of $830,174 from January 1 through April 6th, leaving $999,652 cash-on-hand as of April 6th.
The major donor was multimillionaire Mark Epstein, senior vice president of Qualcomm Inc, who gave $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. He is the husband of Amie Hoeber, who is running as a Republican in Maryland's 6th Congressional District. The seat is currently represented by Rep. John Delaney, D-MD.
Maryland USA reported it has spent $664,321 on independent expenditures in support of Amie Hoeber during the first quarter of 2016. This included the production costs and placement of TV, radio, cable, and digital advertisements.
In 2015, Epstein gave the super PAC $300,000 and the PAC spent $207,114 on independent expenditures supporting Hoeber.
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Ryan Joint Fundraising Committee Takes In $17 Million (updated)
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4/13/2016
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The joint fundraising committee of Speaker Paul Ryan has reported raising over $17 million during the first quarter of this year.
Team Ryan, the joint fundraising committee of Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, reported receipts of $17,273,548 ( amended 4/15) from January 1st to March 31st, and transferred $12,709,336 in net proceeds to its participating committees. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was sent $8,879,155. Ryan for Congress was sent $3,196,302. Prosperity Acton Inc., Ryan's leadership PAC, was sent $633,897. The Team Ryan committee has $3,206,522 cash-on-hand as of the end of March.
Of the funds going to the NRCC, $2,599,473 went into its recount fund, and $1,952,636 went into its building fund.
Major PAC donors included $71,000 from Koch Industries Inc. PAC; $65,000 from AT&T Federal PAC; $50,000 from Nustar PAC; $45,000 from the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers PAC; $45,000 from Home Depot PAC; $45,000 from Honeywell International PAC; among others.
Major donors each giving $244,200 included Harlan Crow (president, Crow Holdings, TX); Paul Edgerley (investor, Bain Capital, MA); Sandra Edgerley (philanthropist, The Boston Foundation, MA); Cynthia Fisher (managing director, Waterrev LLC, MA); Charles Johnson (retired, FL); Ann Johnson (psychiatrist, FL); Charles Koch (chairman, Koch Industries, KS); Elizabeth Koch (homemaker, KS); Thomas McInerney (investor, Bluff Point, CT); Robert McNair (chairman, Houston Texans, TX); Janice McNair (homemaker, TX); Jay Reibel (retired, CT); Dwight Schar (retired, FL); Rex Sinquefield (retired, MO); Jeffrey Sprecher (CEO, Intercontinental Exchange, GA); and Michael Vlock (director, Launchcapital, CT).
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Third Party Congressional Candidate Starts Campaign With $1 Million
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4/12/2016
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A third party candidate running for Congress has started his election drive by loaning his campaign committee $1 million.
Martin Babinec of Little Falls, New York, filed his first statement of candidacy on March 18th for New York's 22nd Congressional District, listing himself as with the Republican Party. His amended filing on April 10th, listed he was running as an Independent. His campaign committee, Friends of Martin Babinec, filed a 2016 first quarter disclosure report Monday night showing Babinec loaned his campaign $1 million from personal funds on March 25th.
Babinec is the founder of TriNet, an Internet human resources company. He is running for the seat of Rep. Richard Hanna, R-NY, who is retiring.
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PAC Gets Million-Dollar Sugar Boost (Updated)
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4/11/2016
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A federal political action committee has reported a million-dollar energy boost from sugar beet farmers.
The American Crystal Sugar Company PAC reported receipts of $1,009,314 during March. The PAC had $2,222,244 cash-on-hand as of March 31st, and no debts.
The agricultural cooperative, owned by farmers producing sugar and related products, makes an annual push for contributions into the PAC each March. Donors included David D. Berg (president and CEO), and Kevin Price (Vice President Government Affairs), among others. Almost all of the donors were from North Dakota and Minnesota. Last March, the PAC received $997,050 in receipts.
The PAC gave out $72,500 in contributions to federal candidates and committees during March. This included 14 contributions of $5,000 and one of $2,500. The PAC has given out $1,550,000 so far this election cycle. The members of the House Agriculture Committee have received the largest amount.
View the PAC's campaign finance profile. The American Crystal Sugar Company has reported spending $2,547,424 on lobbying the executive and legislative branches during 2015.
The American Crystal Sugar Company reported Monday morning spending $1,132,869 on lobbying during the first quarter of 2016. The 2016 Q1 lobbying reports for all filers are due April 20th.
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Misuse of Official Congressional Funds Can Be Costly (Updated)
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4/7/2016
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A former Congressman is still using his campaign committee to pay legal fees a year after he left Congress when questions were raised on the use of government funds.
Schock for Congress, the campaign committee of former Rep. Aaron Schock, R-IL, reported Wednesday it paid another $57,409 in legal fees to five law firms during the first quarter of this year. Schock is defending himself against allegations of improper reimbursements for car and plane travel and other expenses from official and campaign funds. He resigned from Congress in March 2015.
The committee reported it paid Berliner Corcoran and Rowe LLP $16,153; Venable LLP $20,000; Lane & Waterman $9767; Berke Farah LLP $6,490; and Hunziker Heck & Schneiderheinze $5,000. The committee has $442,408 cash-on-hand as of March 31st, and debts of $746,985 owed to the Jones Day law firm. Prior to this year, the committee had paid $2.5 million in legal fees.
In another case involving official Congressional funds, David Bowser, the former chief of staff for Rep. Paul Brown, R-GA, was indicted Wednesday on charges of theft of government property for using official office accounts to pay a campaign consultant, obstruction, concealment of material facts, and making false statements to the Office of Congressional Ethics.
View July 2014 report from the Office of Congressional Ethics.
Update: Bowser resigned Thursday as chief of staff to Rep. Mimi Walters, R-CA.
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House Ethics Committee To Further Investigate Rep. Grayson
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4/5/2016
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A deeper investigation has been announced into possible ethics violations by a member of Congress who operates a hedge fund.
The House Committee on Ethics today announced it would further investigate Rep. Alan Grayson, D-FL, after receiving a report from the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The report's executive summary states," The Office of Congressional Ethics ("OGE") review focused on numerous alleged violations involving Representative Alan Grayson, the majority of which relate to his leadership and ownership of a hedge fund and law firms, omissions from his annual financial disclosure forms, and the use of official resources for unofficial purposes. The OGE's report focuses on conduct in six areas: (1) the receipt of compensation and use of Representative Grayson' names by entities that provided professional services involving a fiduciary relationship; (2) Representative Grayson's agreement to accept contingent fees in cases involving the government that would incorporate work performed by other attorneys during Representative Grayson's time in office; (3) significant omissions from Representative Grayson's annual financial disclosure forms; (4) contracts with the federal government that Representative Grayson held indirectly as a member of three limited partnerships while he served in Congress; (5) the use of official resources by Representative Grayson's staffer to support Representative Grayson's hedge fund; and (6) Representative Grayson's participation in campaign interviews from his congressional office."
View Rep. Grayson's campaign finance profile and his personal financial disclosure reports.
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Concerns Over Foreign Money in U.S. Political System
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4/4/2016
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A Commissioner at the Federal Election Commission has raised concerns about the involvement of foreign money in the U.S. political system, and the amounts may be more than some people realize.
Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, in a New York times March 30th op ed article, stated her growing concern about contributions from foreign nationals and their involvement with corporations that move money into the U.S. political system.
In a March 31st Huffington Post blog article, political law attorney Allen Dickerson disagreed with Weintraub and calls her concerns an attempt to ban corporate speech.
Political MoneyLine's Cash Register and its "Foreign Entities" tab provides a good look at three key avenues of political money connected to foreign corporations. The Foreign Entities chart identifies foreign-based corporations which have used U.S. affiliates or subsidiaries to spend money on lobbying the U.S. legislative or executive branches, operate federal corporate political action committees, and make corporate contributions to Section 527 political organizations.
Over half way through the current 2015-2016 election cycle, the Foreign Entities chart already shows U.S. subsidiaries of foreign corporations reporting almost $300 million on U.S. political and federal lobbying activity.
Three hundred and ninety-five (395) of these foreign corporations and their U.S. subsidiaries have already reported spending $270 million on federal lobbying. One hundred eighty-eight (188) of these foreign corporations have U.S. subsidiaries (which operate federal PACs with funds from U.S. earnings and collect voluntary contributions from U.S. citizens) that have already given out $22,234,298 to candidates and political committees. Fifty-Five (55) of these foreign corporations and their U.S. subsidiaries have given a total of almost $7.2 million to Section 527 political organizations. Subscribers may drill down on any corporation listed and see the detailed spending.
Foreign corporate (or their U.S. subsidiary) contributions to trade associations and non-profits is not clear.
The question of who really controls these funds is still outstanding and will be hard to identify or document. More transparency of U.S. corporate political money decision-making and governance policies should help, but the disclosure of one or two large movements of foreign national funds directly or through a corporation into the 2016 U.S. elections, could spark more investigation.
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Former Sen. Tom Daschle Deigns To Register as Lobbyist
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4/1/2016
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After years of dancing around the legal definition of being a lobbyist, a former Senator finally registers and discloses his role as a lobbyist.
Former Senator Thomas Daschle, D-South Dakota, who served as Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader, appears in a new lobby registration filed by Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, a law firm, and The Daschle Group, a public policy advisory of Baker Donelson.
The firms registered to lobby for Aetna, an insurance company based in Hartford, Connecticut. Daschle, along with Nicole Carelli and Veronica Pollack will lobby on "issues related to the implementation of Public Law 111-148/The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Public Law 111-152/Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010; issues related to CMS Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2017 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates; Part C and Part D Payment Policies and 2017 Call Letter."
Daschle lost his re-election race in 2004, and since then has been portrayed as a consultant, advisor, and an agent for foreign clients.
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Chamber of Commerce Puts $1 Million Into Republican Primary
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3/31/2016
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported it is putting $1 million behind a U.S. Senate candidate in the Indiana Republican Primary.
The Chamber announced Wednesday it was endorsing Rep. Todd Young, R-IN-09, in the May 3rd Indiana Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Dan Coats, R-IN.
The Chamber also reported Wednesday it had paid the Revolution Agency (VA) $1 million for TV, radio and digital ads to run from March 28th through May 3rd supporting Todd Young.
Young's campaign reported having $2,636,578 cash-on-hand as of December 31st.
Also running in the Republican primary is Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-IN-03. The winner of the Republican primary will face former Rep. Baron Hill, D-IN-09, in the General Election.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a Section 501c6 business league which receives contributions from corporations and business groups. The organization spends more than any other group on lobbying the executive and legislative branches of of the federal government.
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GAO Issues Annual Report on Lobbying
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3/30/2016
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The new Government Accounting Office report, "Observations on Lobbyists' Compliance with Disclosure Requirements," indicated most lobbyists provided the required documentation for the most important elements of the lobbying disclosure reports.
The GAO report was based on a sample of 100 lobbying disclosure reports and 160 political contributions reports covering the last two quarters of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2014. A Political MoneyLine count showed this sample included only five organizations (2%) of the 259 organizations that reported more than $1 million in yearly lobbying expenditures. Political MoneyLine's lobbying databases show $3.2 billion in lobbying expenditures in 2015.
The GAO report indicates over 90% of the lobbyists' reports sampled filed on-time registrations, provided documentation for income and expenses, and filed year-end reports.
However, some disclosure reports demonstrate compliance difficulties. The report found 14 per cent of all reports did not properly disclose one or more previously held covered positions as required. Also, lobbyists amended 19% of the original reports sampled, changing information previously reported. In addition, 4 per cent of all contribution reports omitted one or more reportable political contributions that were documented in the Federal Election Commission database.
Appendix II (image page 46) of the report lists the organizations and companies in the GAO sample.
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Independent Expenditures Target Wisconsin Primary Voters With Last Minute Ads
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3/28/2016
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Two organizations have made million-dollar independent expenditure ad buys to impact on voters in Wisconsin before the April 5th primary.
The Club for Growth reported Saturday it had paid $1,013,702 between March 10th and March 26th for production costs, digital ads, and TV media buys as independent expenditures supporting Ted Cruz, and opposing Donald Trump and John Kasich in the April 5th primary.
The committee spent $253,453 on digital and TV ads supporting Cruz in Wisconsin; $473,064 on TV and digital ads opposing Trump; and $287,185 on digital ads and media buys opposing Kasich in Wisconsin. View the 30-second ad which began to run on March 6th.
Our Principles PAC, a Super PAC opposing Donald Trump, reported it had sent $1,071,053 on independent expenditures impacting on Wisconsin. The committee spent $92,510 on media ads beginning March 25th: $23,478 on media production; $34,1134 on research; $50,000 for online ads; and $932 on telephone voter contact.
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Trump Backer Makes Million-Dollar Media Buy
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3/25/2016
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A pro-Trump political action committee reported a million-dollar media buy for nationally distributed television advertisements supporting Donald Trump.
Great America PAC is a hybrid political committee with a mixture of a regular non-party PAC and a separate non-contribution account that can receive contributions of unlimited amounts. The committee reported on Thursday it paid $1,025,000 to Rapid Response Television LLC (OH) between March 18th to March 24th for the independent expenditures supporting Trump. The television ads will run from March 22nd into June.
The committee only had $24,093 cash-on-hand at the end of February, so their March receipts probably include one or more very large contributions.
Great America PAC originally registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on February 1st with the name TrumPAC, and Dan Backer as the treasurer. Backer is an attorney who is a critic of the FEC and contribution limits. The PAC changed its name on March 14th. The committee reported $73,753 in receipts and $49,660 in disbursements during January and February. The major donors into the non-contribution account were Eric Beach (self-employed investor) from California giving $25,000; and Bill Doddridge (owner, Goldenwest Diamond) from Maryland giving $25,000.
The committee also forwarded $3,298 in 500 earmarked contributions (many for $5) to Donald J. Trump For President Inc. committee. Backer's DB Capitol Strategies (VA) was paid $4,000 for legal and compliance services.
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Justice Department and Ethics Committee Investigating Rep. Corrine Brown
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3/23/2016
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A U.S. Representative is now under investigation for possible improper conduct, conspiracy, fraud, use of campaign funds, making false statements and other violations.
The House Ethics Committee today announced it has set up an investigative subcommittee to look at possible ethics violations by Rep. Corrine Brown, D-FL. The committee also announced it will defer action at this time, since the Department of Justice has asked the Committee to defer consideration of the matters.
The Committee will determine whether Representative Corrine Brown violated the Code of Official Conduct, or other rules or laws, with respect to allegations that she engaged in improper conduct relating to certain outside organizations, conspired with other persons in connection with fraudulent activity, improperly solicited charitable donations, used campaign funds for personal purposes, used official resources for impermissible non-official purposes, failed to comply with tax laws, made false statements, and/or failed to make required disclosures the the House of Representatives and Federal Election Commission.
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Trump Foundation Admits Giving Prohibited Political Contribution
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3/23/2016
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A Trump campaign spokesperson stated Tuesday a series of unfortunate coincidences and errors caused presidential candidate Donald Trump's 501c3 private foundation to contribute $25,000 to a political organization and failed to report it in the foundation's tax returns, according to the Washington Post.
The close internal staff work of handling Trump's personal money and those of his foundation are causing new tax problems for the Trump organization. It may raise new concern about the ability of his staff to keep separate his campaign expenditures from his companies and his foundation.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint on Monday with the Internal Revenue Service claiming the Donald J. Trump Foundation, a 501c3 private foundation, contributed $25,000 in September 2013 to And Justice for All, a Section 527 political organization, although it stated on its tax filing that it had not contributed to any political organizations.
In an email Tuesday, Noah Bookbinder, executive director of CREW, stated Trump aides now claim that Bondi asked for the money and that the contribution was originally intended to come from Trump personally.
And Justice for All was supporting the reelection of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2014. The September 2013 contribution was given several days after Bondi said her office would be reviewing complaints about Trump University, a real estate school.
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Presidential Campaigns Vary on Donor Strategy
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3/22/2016
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The 2016 presidential race involves candidates employing varying strategies to collect contributions - from self-funding, to targeting small donors, and aiming at maxing out donors, according to a new analysis of recent reports.
The Campaign Finance Institute, a non-partisan research group, released updated graphs and tables showing cumulative donor data through the end of February.
The analysis showed "Sanders Outraised Clinton in February and has 56% of his money from small donors." "Cruz raised 62% of his money from under $1,000 donors." "Hillary Clinton has increased her small donor fundraising", and she has received 51% of her money from donors who have maxed out. Trump has put almost $25 million into his campaign, and raised another $9 million.
Table 1 2016 Presidential Fundraising Receipts, Debts and Cash on Hand. Table 2 Individual Donors to 2016 Presidential Candidates.
The analysis does not cover the financial activity of Super PACs.
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Presidential Candidates Report Finances (Updated)
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3/20/2016
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The presidential candidates still in the 2016 race are required to file campaign finance reports covering February activity by March 20th.
Hillary Clinton's Hillary for America reported receipts of $29.5 million and disbursements of $31.6 million, leaving $30.8 million cash on hand as of 2/29, and debts of $928,629. Of the itemized donors, $3.8 million came from California; $2.2 million from New York; $1 million from Illinois; and $1 million from Florida; among other states. The committee spent $17. 4 million on media buys; $4.2 million on payroll and taxes; $2.5 million on direct mail; and $1.5 million on travel; among other spending. (PML subscribers may view a complete breakdown of receipts and disbursements.
Bernie 2016 reported February receipts of $43,498,784 and disbursements of $40,949,099 leaving $17,211,636 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and no debts. The committee received $26.8 million from donors giving $200 or less, and $16.6 million from those giving more.$1,574,700 from doonors giving more than $20, and $454,335 from those giving $200
Donald J. Trump For President reported February receipts of $9,214,359 and disbursements of $9,458,274 leaving $1,340,805 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and debts of $22,384,058. The committee received $1,574,700 from donors giving more than $200, and $454,335 from those giving $200 or less. Trump loaned his committee $6,850,000.
Cruz For President reported February receipts of $11,886,250 and disbursements of $17,485,575 leaving $8,046,095 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and no debts. The committee received $4.7 million from donors giving $200 or less, and itemized $7.1 million giving more. Of the itemized donors, $2.1 million came from Texas and $663K came from California. The committee spent $8.7 million on media. View a complete breakdown of receipts and disbursements.
Kasich For America reported February receipts of $3,418,109 and disbursements of $3,640,498 leaving $1,254,253 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and no debts. The committee received $1.1 million from donors giving $200 or less, and $2.2 million from those giving more.
For cumulative presidential campaign figures use Political MoneyLine's Presidential Summaries. |
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Pro-Bush Super PAC Left With $16 Million Cash-on-Hand
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3/20/2016
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Right To Rise USA, a pro-Bush Super PAC, reported ending February with $16,119,706 cash-on-hand, and no debts.
Jeb Bush suspended his campaign on February 20th. His principal campaign committee, Jeb 2016 Inc., reported having $465,192 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and debts of $452,065. During February the committee received a $250,000 loan from the candidate, as well as $156,984 in contributions in-kind from Jeb Bush. For the full campaign, Jeb Bush contributed $2,700 as well as giving $543,004 contributions in-kind, and loaning the committee $250,000. |
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National Party Committees Report February Activity (Updated)
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3/18/2016
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The six national party campaign committees are required to file their monthly report covering February financial activity by March 20th.
The DNC Services Corp./Democratic National Committee reported February receipts of $8,268,578 and disbursements of $6,033,965, leaving $7,338,121 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and debts of $6,798,787. The committee received $3.3 million in small contributions of $200 or less, and $819,151 into their three new accounts for headquarters, recounts, and convention. Henry Laufer (retired, FL) gave $100,200 to each of the three accounts. Marsha Z. Laufer (retired, FL) gave $100,200 to each of the three accounts.
The Republican National Committee reported (amended 3/21) February receipts of $11,531,725 and disbursements of $14,678,730 leaving $15,283,825 cash-on-hand on 2/29, and debts of $1,825,000. These figures include the committee receiving a loan of $2.5 million as a receipt, and $2.5 million as a disbursement when a loan was repaid during the month. The committee received $4.2 million in small contributions of $200 or less, and $2.8 million from those giving more than $200. The committee received $1.3 million into its three new accounts for convention, recount and headquarters. Diane M. Hendricks (owner, Hendricks Holding Co., WI) gave $100,200 to each of the three accounts. Elizabeth A. Uihein (president, Uline, IL) gave $100,200 to each of the three accounts.
The Democratic Senatorial Committee reported in paper form that it had February receipts of $6,189,829 and disbursements of $4,554,120 leaving $15,206,377 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and debts of $5,843,300. The committee received $2.1 million in small contributions of $200 or less. PACs and other committees gave $957,000. The committee received $219,869 into their two new accounts. The committee repaid $2,010,521 in outstanding loans.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee reported in paper form that it had $4,803,627 in February receipts, and $2,443,743 in disbursements, leaving $16,208,649 cash-on-hand as of 2/29. The committee received $1.1 million in small contributions of $200 or less, and $1.1 million from PACs and other committees. The committee received $669,075 into its two new accounts. Kenneth C.Griffin (CEO of Citadel Investment Group, IL) gave $100,200 to the recount account and the same amount to the headquarters account.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported February receipts of $7,149,636 and disbursements of $3,287,943 leaving $37,035,862 cash-on-hand as of 2/29, and no debts. The committee received $2.9 million in small contributions of $200 or less. PACs and other committees gave $1.6 million. The committee received $299,785 into its two new accounts. Otho E. Eskin (retired, DC) gave $100,200 into the headquarters account.
The National Republican Congressional Committee reported February receipts of $6,333,745 and disbursements of $1,948,368 leaving $39,040,733 cash-on-hand as of 2/29. The committee received $894,160 in small contributions of $200 or less, and received $2.1 million from PACs and other committees. The committee received $983,343 into its two new accounts. August A. Busch III gave $100,200 to the headquarters account, and $100,200 to the recount account. Elizabeth A. Uihlein (president, Uline, IL) gave $100,200 to the headquarters account and $97,600 to the recount account. |
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A New Round of Million-Dollar Contributions (Updated)
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3/18/2016
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Million-Dollar contributions continue to flow into Super PACs according to new reports being filed covering February financial activity. Reports are due by March 20th.
Conservative Solutions PAC, a pro-Rubio Super PAC reported raising $25 million during February, including these: Ronald Cameron (chairman, Mountaire Corp., AZ) contributed $5 million; Hank Greenberg's C.V. Starr & Company (NY) gave $2.5 million; Hank Greenberg's Starr Int'l. USA (NY) gave $2.5 million; Kenneth C. Griffin (CEO, Citadel LLC, IL) gave $2.5 million; Paul Singer (CEO, Elliott Management Corp., NY) gave $2.5 million; Access Industries Inc. (NY) gave $1 million; Sarah Atkins (consultant, Tamko Building Products, VA) gave $1 million; Besilu Stables LLC (FL) gave $1 million; Norman Braman (auto dealer, Braman Motors, FL) gave $1 million; Lawrence J. Ellison (chairman, Oracle Corp., CA) gave $1 million; David Humphreys (executive, Tamko Building Products, MO) gave $1 million; Earl Kendrick (managing owner, AZ Diamondbacks Baseball, AZ) gave $700,000; Decor Services LLC (DE) gave $250,000; Seth Klarman (president, Baupost Group LLC, MA) gave $250,000; among others.
Thomas Steyer (founder, Fahr LLC, CA) contributed $4 million in February to his own Super PAC, NextGen Climate Action Committee.
Jackson Stephens (executive, ExOxEmis Inc., AR) gave $1,250,000 to the Club For Growth Action. Warren Stephens, CEO, Stephens Inc, AR) also gave $1,250,000 to Club For Growth Action. Virginia James (retired, NJ) gave $500,000 to Club for Growth Action. Richard Uihlein (CEO, Uline, IL) gave $500,000 to Club for Growth Action.
Jonathan Allan Soros (executive, Soros Fund Management LLC, NY) gave $1 million to Planned Parenthood Votes. Jay Robert Pritzker (managing partner, Pritzker Group, IL) gave $500,000.
Donald Sussman (chairman, Trust Asset Management, FL) contributed $1 million during February to Women Vote!
Gale Alger (retired, FL) gave $1 million to Stand For Truth Inc. a pro-Cruz Super PAC.
Our Principles PAC, a Republican Super PAC opposing Trump, reported receiving $1 million from J. Joe Ricketts (self-employed entrepreneur, WY); $1 million from Marlene Ricketts (retired, NE); $1 million from Paul Singer (CEO, Elliott Management Corp., NY); $1 million from Warren Stephens (CEO, Stephens Inc., AR); and $500,000 from Bill Oberndorf (owner, Oberndorf Enterprises LLC, CA); among others.
Priorities USA Action, a pro-Clinton Super PAC, reported receiving $2 million from Fred Eychaner (CEO, Newsweb, IL); $1 million from Henry Laufer (retired, FL); $1 million from Marsha Laufer (retired, FL); and $750,000 from David Shaw (D.E Shaw Research, NY). |
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Quietly and Methodically PACs Keep the Contributions Flowing (Updated)
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3/18/2016
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The political action committees of corporations, trade associations, and unions may not be in the media's presidential spotlight, but they are quietly and methodically making campaign contributions to impact on the 2016 elections, according to new disclosure reports.
Campaign finance reports covering February activity of PACs and party committees, which have chosen to file monthly financial reports, are due by March 20th.
Here are some of the committees already reporting large amounts of net contributions to candidates and committees, including some that have issues before Congress, some that are using hard dollars to give to Super PACs, and others who are making annual dues payments to national party committees:
Engineers Political Education Committee (EPEC) gave $598,000 during February, including $250K to the super PAC House Majority PAC, $100K to Defending Main Street Super PAC, and $50,000 to American Working Families. American Federation of Teachers COPE gave $540,000 including $500K to the Senate Majority PAC. NEA Fund for Children and Public Education gave $438,000. Comcast Corporation & NBCUniversal PAC gave $396,000. DRIVE the PAC of the Int'l. Brotherhood of Teamsters gave $347,000, including $100K to the Senate Majority PAC, and $100K to the House Majority PAC, and $50,000 to Women Vote. Air Line Pilots Assn. PAC gave $341,500. AT&T Inc. Federal PAC gave $340,250. CSX Corporation Good Government Fund gave $319,000. Union Pacific Corporation Fund for Effective Government gave $275,500. Deloitte PAC $269,000. American Medical Assn. PAC gave $250,850. National Assn. of Insurance and Financial Advisors PAC gave $248,750. See earlier posting below. Laborers' Int'l. Union PAC gave $238,500. National Multifamily Housing Council PAC gave $235,000. Honeywell Int'l. PAC gave $231,500. American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC gave $229,916. Home Depot Inc. PAC gave $228,500. BUILD PAC of the National Assn. of Home Builders gave $223,500. National Automobile Dealers Assn. PAC gave $217,500. New York Life Insurance Company PAC gave $204,000. Koch Industries Inc. PAC gave $202,000. General Electric Company PAC gave $197,000. Employees of Northrop Grumman Corporation PAC gave $193,800. BNSF Railway Company RAILPAC gave $190,500. Ernst & Young PAC gave $185,000. California Dairies Federal PAC gave $180,500. American College of Surgeons Professional Assn. PAC gave $172,500. United Parcel Service Inc. PAC gave $167,750. CULAC the PAC of Credit Union National Assn. gave $166,000. Boeing Company PAC gave $166,000. Mortgage Bankers Assn. PAC gave $166,000. FedEx Corp. PAC gave $164,000. American Crystal Sugar Company PAC gave $162,500. National Beer Wholesalers Assn. PAC gave $161,500. National Restaurant Assn. PAC gave $161,000. Lockheed Martin Corporation Employee's PAC gave $158,500. American Bankers Assn. PAC gave $158,500. General Motors Company PAC gave $157,500. American College of Radiology Assn. PAC gave $154,500. Publix Super Markets Inc Associates PAC gave $153,500.
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Political Contributions and the Garland Family
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3/16/2016
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On Wednesday, President Obama announced Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Garland wrote the July 2015 unanimous court opinion in Wendy E. Wagner, et al v. Federal Election Commission upholding the federal ban on political contributions by federal contractors.
Garland's family has also been involved with campaign contributions. Federal Election Commission records show his spouse, Lynn, contributed $200 on September 18, 1992, to the Democratic National Committee. His daughter, Rebecca, contributed $500 on December 1, 2011, to Elizabeth For MA, the campaign committee of now Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-MA.
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