The Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) released its list of top all-time donors. It totaled contributions from 1989 to 2012 from PACs and individuals affiliated with the heavy hitter organizations.
CRP designated each of the heavy hitters as Democrat, Republican, or "on the fence," meaning between 40 and 59 percent was donated to each party. In some cases, percentages did not add up to 100 due to third party donations.
None of the heavy hitters in the top 10 were Republican (three organizations in the top 10 were on the fence). A Republican-leaning organization did not make an appearance on the list until number 17.
Here are the top ten biggest political donors:
1. ActBlue
ActBlue is a federally registered political action committee that was launched in 2004. It calls itself "the online clearinghouse for Democratic action."
The group donated $97,192,340 between 1989 and 2012, according to CRP. Ninety-nine percent of its contributions went to Democrats.
2. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees comprises 3,400 local unions representing 1.6 million members as well as 240,000 retirees.
The organization donated $60,667,379 between 1989 and 2012, with 81 percent going to Democrats.
3. AT&T (on the fence)
AT&T is the most-used phone company in the United States, according to CRP. It covers close to 300 million people.
The company donated $56,449,317 between 1989 and 2012. AT&T was marked as "on the fence" by CRP, having donated 41 percent to Democrats and 57 percent to Republicans.
4. National Education Association
The National Education Association is the nation’s oldest and largest teachers’ union.
It donated $53,594,488 between 1989 and 2012. Sixty-one percent went to Democrats, and just 4 percent went to Republicans.
5. National Association of Realtors (on the fence)
The National Association of Realtors represents 1.2 million members from the nation’s real estate industry. The group has lobbied on many issues such as health care, bankruptcy legislation, and tax rates.
The group donated $51,207,902 between 1989 and 2012, with 44 percent going to Democrats and 47 percent going to Republicans.
6. Goldman Sachs (on the fence)
Goldman Sachs is an investment bank. It received billions of dollars in federal taxpayer money during the 2008 bailout.
Goldman Sachs donated $44,847,951 between 1989 and 2012. Fifty-three percent of its donations went to Democrats, while 44 percent went to Republicans.
7. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union that represents more than 750,000 electrical workers. It is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
The union donated $44,478,789 between 1989 and 2012. Ninety-two percent of its donations went to Democrats.
8. United Auto workers
The United Auto Workers represents more than 100,000 men and women.
The union donated $41,667,858 between 1989 and 2012, with 71 percent of its donations going to Democrats. The UAW did not make a single donation to Republicans, according to CRP.
9. Carpenters and Joiners Union
The Carpenters and Joiners Union is another politically active union. It represents 500,000 carpenters and tradesman nationwide.
The union donated $39,260,371 between 1989 and 2012. Seventy-four percent of its donations went to Democrats.
10. Service Employees International Union
The Service Employees International Union has more than 1.5 million members. It is the largest growing member of the AFL-CIO.
The union donated $38,395,690 between 1989 and 2012. Eight-four percent of its donations went to Democrats, while just 2 percent went to Republicans.