Major Republican Donor Gives More Than $276 Million to Political Groups
A wealthy business leader has given more than $276 million to Republican political groups since the middle of the year. The donations make him the largest known donor in the current midterm election cycle, as Republicans work to keep control of both chambers of Congress.
Most of the Money Went to Senate Campaigns
The largest donation was $158 million to a political group that supports Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. The group is spending heavily to help protect the party’s Senate majority.
More than $76 million went to a voter-turnout group the donor created during the last presidential election. It has built a large operation focused on close races for the Senate and House.
The donor also gave:
- $20 million to a group that backs Republican House candidates.
- $10 million to a group that supports Republican candidates for governor.
- $2 million to a group that supports Republican candidates for state attorney general.
Separately, he gave $10 million to a political group supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Spending Tops His Previous Election Total
These new donations bring the business leader’s known federal political giving for the current election cycle to about $366 million. That is already more than the roughly $290 million he spent during the previous presidential election.
The $158 million donation to the Senate-focused group ranks among the largest known political contributions made by one person in U.S. history. Political committees are due to file reports on their finances, including their recent fundraising and spending.
Texas Is a Key Battleground
Republican groups are putting significant money into races across the country, including in Texas. Paxton is running against Democrat James Talarico. A polling average showed Talarico ahead, with 48.4% support compared with Paxton’s 45.0%.
The donor’s business ties to Texas have also grown. Several of his companies have moved their main offices to the state, while another has expanded manufacturing and launch work there.
A Change From Earlier Comments
The recent spending marks a sharp shift from the donor’s earlier public comments. He had said he planned to spend much less on politics in the future.
At the time, he was stepping back from a prominent role in the president’s administration after a public disagreement with the president. The two have since repaired their relationship and have appeared together at several events.
Business Ties to the Federal Government
The business leader continues to have close ties to the federal government through his space company, which does major work for the national space agency and the Defense Department.
The defense secretary also named him a co-director of a Pentagon panel studying the future of warfare. His political donations, business work, and government connections place him among the most influential figures in the current election cycle.