Election Money Machines: 25 Super PACs That Raised the Most Money in 2015
- Details
- Category: Beltway Insider
- Published on Tuesday, 05 January 2016 07:29
- Written by Palmer Gibbs
From the beginning of 2015 — when former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., to rise pac, Onset up his Right to Rise organization with the goal to raise $100 million in six months — news outlets proclaimed this the year of the super PAC.
Since these groups can collect unlimited donations from individuals and corporations, many thought a well-funded super PAC could prop up a flailing campaign.
As the 2016 presidential contenders ready for the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, that theory hasn’t always panned out. While super PACs can buy ad time for their preferred candidate, they can’t coordinate with the official operation or pay for many of the typical trappings of a campaign.
So, yes, Bush remains in the contest with a nine-figure super PAC haul, despite single-digit poll numbers. But Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry — both Republicans with low marks in the polls and a healthy super PAC cash stash — quit the race in September, unable to pay their campaign staffers.
With that in mind, InsideGov used data from the Federal Election Commission to find the 25 super PACs that have raised the most money in 2015.
More: The Top Donors to Hillary Clinton’s Super PACs
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#25. One Vote (2016)
Total Raised: $100,000
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson
#24. Stand for Principle PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $251,026
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
#23. Generation Forward PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $289,442
PAC Supports: Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley
#22. We the People, Not Washington (2016)
Total Raised: $859,243
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and former New York Gov. George Pataki
#21. Purple PAC Inc. (2016)
Total Raised: $1,180,000
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
#20. Correct the Record (2016)
Total Raised: $1,435,097
PAC Supports: Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
#19. Keep the Promise PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $1,826,500
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
#18. Concerned American Voters (2016)
Total Raised: $1,879,825
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
#17. Opportunity and Freedom PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $2,815,326
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry
#16. Security Is Strength PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $2,897,435
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham
#15. America's Liberty PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $3,132,596
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
#14. Conservative, Authentic, Responsive Leadership for You and for America (2016)
Total Raised: $3,458,670
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina
#13. Pursuing America's Greatness (2016)
Total Raised: $3,604,987
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
#12. Believe Again (2016)
Total Raised: $3,685,918
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
#11. The 2016 Committee (2016)
Total Raised: $3,827,445
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson
#10. American Bridge 21st Century
Total Raised: $6,288,181
PAC Supports: Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
#9. Keep the Promise II (2016)
Total Raised: $10,000,000
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
#8. Opportunity and Freedom I (2016)
Total Raised: $10,000,000
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry
#7. America Leads (2016)
Total Raised: $11,003,304
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
#6. Keep the Promise I (2016)
Total Raised: $11,007,096
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
#5. Keep the Promise III (2016)
Total Raised: $15,000,000
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz
#4. Priorities USA Action (2016)
Total Raised: $15,654,457
PAC Supports: Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
#3. Conservative Solutions PAC (2016)
Total Raised: $16,057,755
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
#2. Unintimidated PAC Inc. (2016)
Total Raised: $20,022,405
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
#1. Right to Rise USA (2016)
Total Raised: $103,167,845
PAC Supports: Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush
