Members of the secretive, liberal network of dark money donors known as the Democracy Alliance gave Obama’s Super PAC, Priorities USA, a major cash injection in the first half of October. According to the group’s pre-general FEC report, George Soros contributed $1 million, Chris Findlater gave $30,000, and Vin Ryan donated $100,000.
Soros, who organized the Democracy Alliance, revealed his intention to contribute to Priorities USA at a luncheon hosted by Democracy Alliance last month. Soros’ right-hand man and personal political director, Michael Vachon, serves on the board of the Democracy Alliance.
Findlater is a member of the Democracy Alliance. Since the 2008 cycle, Findlater has contributed more than $430,000 to Democratic candidates, committees, and groups. He also appears on the White House visitor log at least three times.
Ryan is the founder of Schooner Capital, an investment firm based in Boston. Ryan’s daughter, Cynthia, is a member of Democracy Alliance. Cynthia Ryan is also an Obama bundler committed to raise more than $50,000 for the campaign.
During the 2012 cycle, Priorities USA has also received dark money donations from Jon Stryker, brother of Democracy Alliance bigwig Pat Stryker, and Ellen Susman, a board member of Democracy Alliance and Obama bundler. Kelly Craighead, president and managing director of the Democracy Alliance, is one of Obama’s biggest bundlers.