Big month for Democratic super PACs
October 26, 2012
Family Guy creator and new Oscar host Seth MacFarlane highlights a parade of A-list donors that propelled a pair of Congress-focused Democratic super PACs to new fundraising heights in October.
Top donors for Senate-centric Majority PAC include media mogul and top Democratic bankroller Fred Eychaner ($2 million) and Franklin Haney ($1 million), who founded investment firm FLH.
MacFarlane made a $150,000 contribution on Oct. 17.
Prominent unions such as the American Federation of Teachers ($700,000) and American Postal Workers Union ($500,000) also put up big numbers.
Billionaire investor George Soros contributed $250,000 to House Majority PAC, joining a number of unions and several individuals to also make six-figure donations during the first 17 days of October, new filings with the Federal Election Commission indicate.
Soros also gave pro-Barack Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action $1 million this month.
Arnold Hiatt, former president of shoemaker Stride Rite, donated $900,000 each to House Majority PAC and Majority PAC.
In all, Majority PAC raised $9.87 million and spent $9.33 million from Oct. 1-17 and ended up with $7.46 million in reserve. It also reported more than $552,000 in debt.
House Majority PAC, meanwhile, raised $6.72 million and spent $7.27 million during the month’s first 17 days. It had almost $5.2 million available on Oct. 17, records show.
Both super PACs have spent the bulk of their money in recent months on advertisements attacking Republican congressional candidates.