Hillary Clinton’s candidacy is receiving a major boost from a small group of deep-pocketed donors who have combined to give $43 million to super PACs supporting her nomination, an analysis of campaign finance filings by InsideGov shows.
The three major super PACs backing Clinton-- Correct the Record, American Bridge 21st Century, and Priorities USA Action– have collected nearly $70 million to date with the help of wealthy liberal donors cutting checks in the seven-figure range. Of the $70 million these groups have raised, 62 percent has come in the form of contributions totaling $1 million or more.
Hedge fund manager and liberal billionaire George Soros has provided $8 million to the pro-Clinton PACs, making him the largest contributor. Soros dished $7 million to Priorities USA and another $1 million to American Bridge.
Donald Sussman, also a hedge fund manager, chipped in $2.5 million to Priorities USA while James Simons, another hedge funder, gave $3.5 million to the group. Henry Laufer, a business associate of Simons, gave $1 million to Priorities while his wife, Marsha, added another $1 million.
Slim Fast owner Daniel Abraham cut two checks to Priorities totaling $2 million. Fred Eychaner, the owner Newsweb Corporation, gave $2 million as well. Entertainment mogul Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl, each provided Priorities USA with $2.5 million donations.
Venture capitalist J.B Pritzker and his wife, Mary Kathryn, gave $1.9 million a piece to Priorities. Herbert M. Sandler, the former Co-CEO of Golden West Financial Corporation and World Savings Bank, has also given $3.5 million to the committee.
In total, InsideGov found that just 22 individuals were responsible for supplying the super PACs with $43 million in contributions–more than half what they have raised to date.
California and New York are home to the most generous donors giving to the pro-Clinton super PACs, with individuals from the two states combining to pour $38.9 million into their funding.
Democratic donors in California have given $19.7 million worth of donations-- $13 million in the amount of $1 million or more -- while New York-based donors have chipped in $19.2 million, $16.5 million from contributions in the seven-figures.
Super PACs supporting Clinton have hauled in $69,433,502, an amount that is greater than any super PAC backing any of the remaining candidates.