Premium

This is an archive article published on February 21, 2012

The wealthy behind US presidential campaigns

U.S. presidential candidates are limited to receiving donations of up to $2,500 per person.

The campaigns of U.S. presidential candidates are limited to receiving donations of up to $2,500 per person,once for the state-by-state party nominating season and again for the general election. But independent Super PACs have no limits on what they can raise from individuals,corporations or labor unions.

Here is a look at wealthy individuals who have contributed at least $500,000 to the major political action committees (PACs).

RESTORE OUR FUTURE

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $36.8 million

(Supports former Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney)

* Bob Perry – Houston builder who was a major donor to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004 and is a longtime supporter of Texas Governor Rick Perry. Donation: $1 million

Story continues below this ad

* F8 LLC and Eli Publishing – Provo,Utah-based firms that share an address. Both have been linked to former executives of Nu Skin. Total donations: $2 million

* Paul and Sandra Edgerly – Paul Edgerly,of Brookline,Massachusetts,is an executive with Bain Capital,the private equity firm Romney co-founded. The Edgerlys each have given $500,000. Total donation: $1 million

* Robert Mercer – New York hedge-fund manager at Renaissance Technologies. Donation: $1 million

* Julian Robertson – hedge-fund industry legend at Tiger Management. Donation: $1 million

Story continues below this ad

* Rooney Holdings Inc – A private investment firm formed in 1980s to acquire the Manhattan Construction Co. and since expanding into many areas. Donation: $1 million

* Paul Singer – hedge-fund manager who helped finance efforts to legalize gay marriage in New York. Donation: $1 million

* J.W. Marriott Jr. – chairman and CEO of Marriott International,brother of Richard Marriott. Donation: $750,000

* Richard Marriott – chairman of Host Marriott International. Donation: $750,000

* Oxbow Carbon – a Florida-based firm run by Bill Koch that sells coke,a key ingredient in aluminum manufacturing. Donation: $750,000

Story continues below this ad

* Chris Shumway – a prominent Connecticut hedge-fund manager who got his start working with Robertson’s Tiger Management. Donation: $750,000

* Miguel Fernandez – chairman of MBF Healthcare Partners,a private equity firm. MBF Family Investments also donated to the Super PAC. Donation of each: $500,000

* Steven Webster – a Houston-based investor and co-CEO of Avista Capital Partners,a private equity firm focused on energy,media and healthcare. Donation: $500,000

* David Lisonbee – founder of 4Life Research,a nutrition research firm in Sandy,Utah. Donation: $500,000

WINNING OUR FUTURE

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $13.1 million

Story continues below this ad

(Supports Republican former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich) * Sheldon Adelson – billionaire Las Vegas casino magnate who built the Venetian hotel and casino. Donation: $5 million

* Miriam Adelson – doctor,wife of Sheldon Adelson. Donation: $5 million

* Harold Simmons – billionaire Dallas banker and pioneer of leverage buyouts,chairman and CEO of Contran Corp. Initially supported Rick Perry. Donation: $1 million

* Sivan Ochshorn and Yasmin Lukatz – step-daughters of Sheldon Adelson. Total donation: $750,000

* William Propst – real estate investor in Huntsville,Alabama. Donation: $500,000

AMERICAN CROSSROADS

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $23.3 million

(Supports Republican candidates for federal offices)

* Harold Simmons – billionaire Dallas banker and CEO of Contran Corp. who has contributed to PACs supporting Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich. Donation: $10 million

* Contran Corp. – Dallas-based maker of titanium components. Donation: $2 million

Story continues below this ad

* Whiteco Industries – Indiana-based company involved in advertising,construction entertainment and hotels. Donation: $1 million

* Crow Holdings – Dallas-based company with real estate and other interests. Donation: $500,000

* Philip Geier – New York-based executive. Donation: $500,000

* Kenny Troutt – Dallas-based billionaire and founder of Excel Communications. Donation: $500,000

RED WHITE AND BLUE FUND

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $2.8 million

(Supports former Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum)

* Foster Friess – billionaire investor from Jackson,Wyoming,and founder of the PAC. Donation: $1 million

Story continues below this ad

* William J. Dore – founder of Global Industries,president of Dore Energy Corp. Donation: $1 million

ENDORSE LIBERTY

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $4 million

(Supports Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul)

* Peter Thiel – billionaire co-founder of online U.S. payment service PayPal; first outside investor in Facebook. Donation: $2.6 million

PRIORITIES USA ACTION

Total raised as of Jan. 31: $4.2 million

(Supports President Barack Obama)

* Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education – union representing more than 2 million workers. Donation: $1 million (Reporting by Alina Selyukh; Editing by David Lindsey and Philip Barbara)