The 2016 election is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in U.S. history. According to OpenSecrets, super PACs alone have raised over $315 million for the 2016 candidates as of Dec. 21, 2015. This figure does not include donations to the candidates’ official campaigns.
Because they are allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions and individuals, super PAC funds are becoming increasingly influential in American politics.
Although Jeb Bush’s super PAC total of $103 million is dominating the money race, Hillary Clinton’s super PACs have also had a strong showing. Clinton’s three main super PACs — Priorities USA Action, Correct the Record and American Bridge 21st Century — have raised more than $23 million, the most among the Democratic candidates and third highest overall.
Using data from the Sunlight Foundation, InsideGov found the 25 largest donors to Hilary Clinton’s super PACs. Interestingly, many of Clinton’s top donors come from California or New York, and have ties to Hollywood or Wall Street.
Note: InsideGov only included individuals, not organizations, who donated to Clinton’s super PACs. The figures provided are the aggregate totals for each donor. This list only considers donations to super PACs not the official campaign committee.
#25. Donald R. Mullen Jr.
Contribution: $150,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Co-Head of Global Credit, Goldman, Sachs & Co
#24. Marcia L. Goldman
Contribution: $225,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Correct The Record, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Philanthropist/Author
#23. John D. Goldman
Contribution: $225,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Correct The Record, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Philanthropist
#22. Roger C. Altman
Contribution: $250,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: President, Evercore Partners
#21. Phillip T. Ragon
Contribution: $250,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century
Occupation: Founder, Intersystems Corporation
#20. Marc Nathanson
Contribution: $250,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Chariman, Mapleton Investments
#19. James Pugh
Contribution: $250,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Real Estate Developer, Epoch Properties
#18. Barrett A. Toan
Contribution: $250,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Retired
#17. Paul Egerman
Contribution: $350,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century
Occupation: Co-Founder, eScription Inc.
#16. Susie T. Buell
Contribution: $400,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century
Occupation: Retired
#15. Kathleen McGrath
Contribution: $500,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Producer, First Tuesday Media
#14. J.J. Abrams
Contribution: $500,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Director, Producer, Writer, Actor and CEO at Bad Robot
#13. Laure Woods
Contribution: $750,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Founder & President, Bay Area Lyme Foundation
#12. David E. Shaw
Contribution: $750,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Biomedical Research, D. E. Shaw Research
#11. Pat Stryker
Contribution: $750,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Correct The Record, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Chairman, Bohemian
#10. Mark Heising
Contribution: $750,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Managing Director, Medley Partners
#9. Stephen M. Silberstein
Contribution: $800,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Founder, Innovative Interfaces
#8. Barbara F. Lee
Contribution: $966,919
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century, Correct The Record, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Founder and President, Barbara Lee Foundation
#7. Steven Spielberg
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Co-founder Dreamworks Animation
#6. Jeffrey Katzenberg
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: CEO, Dreamworks Animation
#5. Herbert M. Sandler
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Retired
#4. Haim Saban
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: CEO, Saban Entertainment
#3. Donald Sussman
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Investment Advisor, Paloma Partners Management
#2. Cheryl Saban
Contribution: $1,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: Priorities USA Action
Occupation: Not Employed
#1. George Soros
Contribution: $2,000,000
PAC(s) Donated To: American Bridge 21st Century, Priorities USA Action
Occupation: CEO, Soros Fund Management