Organizations donating the most to political campaigns

Written by:
September 19, 2020
Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

Organizations donating the most to political campaigns

Money makes the world of politics go round, and this campaign season is no exception.

 looked at the organizations donating the most to political campaigns, compiling that ranked organizations and companies donating the most to political campaigns during 2019-2020.

Backing Republican causes and the reelection of President Donald Trump are companies like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which is interested in promoting its interest in insurance policy; AT&T, which is lobbying lawmakers to protect the use of; and a network of more than 200 hospitals seeking legal immunity protections from lawsuits linked to COVID-19 patient care.

Heirs to the Simon Property Group, the biggest shopping mall developer, are waging a campaign to oust Vice President Mike Pence over his attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, the head of the Las Vegas Sands global casino empire is hoping to help Trump win a second term in the White House.

Hedge funds are throwing their considerable weight around. Some, like the Baupost Group of Boston, are supporting Democrats, while the Republican-leaning has donated heavily in support of police funding.

Large labor unions of construction workers, teachers, and carpenters are making themselves heard as well, of protecting wages, trade agreements, workplace safety, retirement security, collective bargaining rights, and paid sick and family leave.

In Âé¶ąÔ­´´'s methodology, the amounts are based on data released by the Federal Elections Commission on Aug. 21, 2020. Please note that organizations are only allowed to donate to political action committees (PACs) or other groups not associated with a particular candidate, and these donations are referred to as "outside money" in this story. Organization employees, owners, and employee family members, however, are allowed to make individual contributions to candidates, and these donations are referred to as "hard money." The top recipient of funds in each slide only received hard money.

Read on to find out the organizations donating the most money to political campaigns.

#50. Bernard Marcus Family Foundation

- Total contributions: $5,197,241
--- Total hard money: $2,447,241 (47.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $2,750,000 (52.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $5,197,241 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: David Perdue ($16,800)

supports social programs such as education and mental health services. Based in Atlanta, it was launched in 1989 by Bernard Marcus, who co-founded Home Depot, the home improvement store chain. In March 2020, a founded by Marcus was campaigning for release of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, saying it was being held up by red tape and regulation. The treatment was unproven and unapproved.

[Pictured: A Home Depot store.]

#49. Amazon.com

- Total contributions: $5,203,109
--- Total hard money: $5,143,501 (98.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $59,608 (1.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $4,187,158 (80.5% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $978,488 (18.8% of total contributions)
- Political lean: leans Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Bernie Sanders ($795,816)

Amazon employees threw their , who was first among the 2019 Democratic presidential contenders in money raised from tech company workers. Sanders is a democratic socialist who advocates for worker rights, while and has come under criticism for its working conditions.

[Pictured: An Amazon fulfillment center.]

#48. Blue Cross/Blue Shield

- Total contributions: $5,213,522
--- Total hard money: $5,154,852 (98.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $58,670 (1.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $3,253,941 (62.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $1,950,795 (37.4% of total contributions)
- Political lean: leans Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($181,174)

The Blue Cross/Blue Shield private insurance giant lobbies in support of options and against . Health care policy, regulation, and insurance practices have been in the current presidential campaign, with some Democrats advocating for a sweeping “Medicare for All” platform.

[Pictured: The Blue Cross Blue Shield building, in Detroit, Michigan.]

#47. Broad Foundation

- Total contributions: $5,251,487
--- Total hard money: $231,487 (4.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $5,020,000 (95.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $5,251,487 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($14,846)

The Broad Foundation advocates for public education, the arts, and medical research, especially involving stem cells. The was inspired in part by founder Eli Broad’s son, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Broad built the SunAmerica financial services company that was .

[Pictured: Edythe L. Broad and Eli Broad, the creators of the Broad Foundation.]

#46. Duchossois Group

- Total contributions: $5,394,550
--- Total hard money: $1,828,050 (33.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $3,566,500 (66.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $147,800 (2.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $5,246,750 (97.3% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Mitch McConnell ($20,400)

The , a privately held investment company based in Illinois, has holdings in consumer products, technology, and services businesses. Craig Duchossois, its chief executive, was recently one of several major donors to a fighting a tax reform measure in Illinois. The proposed change, backed by Illinois' democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker, calls for a move to a graduated-rate state income tax from its current flat rate. Opponents of the change say it would bring a tax increase.

#45. Greylock Partners

- Total contributions: $5,471,051
--- Total hard money: $944,551 (17.3% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $4,526,500 (82.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $5,318,551 (97.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $99,700 (1.8% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($24,983)

The venture capital invests in entrepreneurs and enterprises that , such as Airbnb, Dropbox, and LinkedIn. , , a partner and a LinkedIn co-founder, said: “You could go through this world saying as little as possible and leaving everyone in doubt as to what your beliefs are, but that’s not the way that a company attracts the best people. …In an increasingly politicized world, it’s harder and harder for CEOs to keep business and politics separate. And in an increasingly politicized world, they shouldn’t.”

[Pictured: Greylock Partners partners Reid Hoffman and Josh Elman speak onstage at a TechCrunch Disrupt event.]

#44. Simon Property Group

- Total contributions: $5,700,198
--- Total hard money: $744,298 (13.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $4,955,900 (86.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $5,629,901 (98.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $70,297 (1.2% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Tim Ryan ($28,000)

, daughters of the late Melvin Simon, are active political donors. Their father built Simon Property Group, the biggest U.S. shopping mall developer in the nation, and was a big backer of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry. The sisters support reproductive rights and have funded efforts to defeat Mike Pence over his attempts to defund women’s health care provider Planned Parenthood.

[Pictured: An aerial drone photo of the North East Mall owned by Simon Property Group.]

#43. Simon Youth Foundation

- Total contributions: $6,350,208
--- Total hard money: $1,344,608 (21.2% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $5,005,600 (78.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $6,350,208 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Nancy Pelosi ($5,600)

Deborah Simon, in addition to being an heir to the Simon Property Group, heads the . Simon was one of the biggest hard-money individual contributors in 2020 and a top Democratic donor in 2018, as well. She inherited her wealth after a legal battle with her stepmother, Bren Simon, over her father’s estate.

[Pictured: Current CEO of Simon Youth Foundation, J. Michael Durnil.]

#42. Baupost Group

- Total contributions: $6,414,214
--- Total hard money: $2,364,214 (36.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $4,050,000 (63.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $6,266,814 (97.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $83,400 (1.3% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($25,611)

The is a large, Boston-based hedge fund headed by well-known investor Seth Klarman. He is a of the Republican Party who has become a critic of Donald Trump and a major backer of Democratic Party causes.

[Pictured: Seth Klarman, founder and president of the Baupost Group.]

#41. Freedom Partners

- Total contributions: $6,541,744
--- Total hard money: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $6,541,744 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $6,541,744 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: null (null)

Freedom Partners, which started out with funding from the conservative , supports issues of economic freedom. It called , which advocates for solutions to issues of government spending, immigration, lowering taxes, and eliminating trade barriers. It is supporting Republican incumbents Sen. John Cornyn in Texas and Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina.

[Pictured: David H. Koch of the Koch brothers accepts the Laureate Award at the Lincoln Center Spring Gala in 2017.]

#40. Microsoft Corp.

- Total contributions: $6,668,239
--- Total hard money: $6,208,310 (93.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $459,929 (6.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $5,754,863 (86.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $868,001 (13.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($516,256)

on its website that it supports policies that advance digital transformation opportunities of its global cloud network of services. making technological advances affordable, inclusive and universally available, as well as protecting personal privacy, protecting the free flow of data, and promoting environmental sustainability.

[Pictured: Microsoft founder, Bill Gates.]

#39. Operating Engineers Union

- Total contributions: $6,683,650
--- Total hard money: $3,172,650 (47.5% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $3,511,000 (52.5% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $6,023,255 (90.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $659,981 (9.9% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Kate Gibbs ($20,475)

The International Union of Operating Engineers of mostly Democratic House and Senate members heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and engineers. It is of protecting wages and living standards, affordable health care, worker safety, and retirement security.

[Pictured: The International Union of Operating Engineers headquarters building.]

#38. League of Conservation Voters

- Total contributions: $6,962,122
--- Total hard money: $1,365,097 (19.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $5,597,025 (80.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $6,955,451 (99.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $825 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Theresa Greenfield ($84,855)

The League of Conservation Voters, which supports environmental causes, is backing , a businesswoman challenging Iowa’s Republican incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst. The seat is considered key to whether Democrats take control of the U.S. Senate in the November election. The Iowa race has drawn considerable out-of-state funding, mostly in support of the Democratic challenger.

[Pictured: Democratic senate candidate Theresa Greenfield.]

#37. Citadel LLC

- Total contributions: $7,039,444
--- Total hard money: $1,039,044 (14.8% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $6,000,400 (85.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $31,110 (0.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $7,008,334 (99.6% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Cory Gardner ($5,600)

managed by billionaire , who in 2020 has donated heavily in support of police, paying for protective equipment and cleaning supplies. In 2018, he pledged several million dollars for police initiatives that included technology for faster processing of surveillance videos and programs to fight gun violence.

[Pictured: Citadel LLC founder, Kenneth Griffin.]

#36. AT&T Inc.

- Total contributions: $7,096,392
--- Total hard money: $6,088,246 (85.8% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $1,008,146 (14.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $4,829,770 (68.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $2,242,346 (31.6% of total contributions)
- Political lean: leans Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Bernie Sanders ($300,455)

AT&T and other internet service providers lobby Washington lawmakers to protect their industry's use of, the limits they place on data usage that allow them to charge customers fees for excess use. By one account, the telecommunications industry to keep them legal in the last decade. Consumer rights advocates see the caps as ways to overcharge customers.

[Pictured: AT&T Indiana Headquarters.]

#35. Walt Disney Co.

- Total contributions: $7,280,395
--- Total hard money: $4,106,376 (56.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $3,174,019 (43.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $6,813,543 (93.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $462,920 (6.4% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($273,472)

the Walt Disney Co. says it believes “active participation in the political life of the countries and communities in which we do business is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.” Among the issues it takes interest in are protection of intellectual property, privacy, the regulation of broadcast, cable, and internet regulation, freedom of expression, trade freedoms, travel and tourism, and taxation. was a major donor to Sen. Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

[Pictured: Co-chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn.]

#34. One Nation

- Total contributions: $7,600,000
--- Total hard money: $0 (0.0% of total contribution)
--- Total outside money: $7,600,000 (100.0% of total contribution)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $0 (0.0% of total contribution)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $7,600,000 (100.0% of total contribution)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: data not available

The conservative One Nation and private property, which it sees as under threat by liberal and socialist agendas. It opposes such measures as the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and allowing convicted felons to vote. The donor group is , the former White House deputy chief of staff under George W. Bush.

[Pictured: Karl Rove.]

#33. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

- Total contributions: $7,605,960
--- Total hard money: $3,668,625 (48.2% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $3,937,335 (51.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $7,465,529 (98.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $136,000 (1.8% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Bernie Sanders ($90,747)

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers makes such as utilities and communication regulation, trade agreements, pensions, job safety, railroads, and government building projects. The giant union in fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, and railroads.

[Pictured: President Barack Obama signs his name on the wall during a visit to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 headquarters.]

#32. Comcast Corp.

- Total contributions: $8,167,502
--- Total hard money: $6,264,954 (76.7% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $1,902,548 (23.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $5,426,323 (66.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $2,713,165 (33.2% of total contributions)
- Political lean: leans Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($269,732)

The telecommunications giant that it “participates in the political process to protect its business objectives and further its public policy goals.” It lobbies to influence decisions and legislation in areas such as video distribution regulation, cable franchising, internet and data services, issues of broadcast, cable, and programming, privacy, and international regulations.

[Pictured: Comcast Corp. chairman and CEO, Brian L. Roberts.]

#31. Mountaire Corp.

- Total contributions: $8,495,098
--- Total hard money: $1,220,098 (14.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,275,000 (85.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $25 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $8,495,073 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: John Cornyn ($14,000)

., a major poultry producer, has been putting money toward the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), seeking liability waiver laws that would provide immunity against wrongful death lawsuits linked to COVID-19. said the company concealed the rate of infection among workers at its North Carolina plants, and it faces labor accusations of anti-union activity as well.

[Pictured: Mountaire Chicken Farms in Millsboro, Delaware.]

#30. University of California

- Total contributions: $8,592,221
--- Total hard money: $8,109,829 (94.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $482,392 (5.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $8,302,628 (96.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $215,684 (2.5% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Bernie Sanders ($931,381)

While former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has gotten the most backing from the University of California, as of mid-September, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at just over $900,000. Other recipients this year were Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg. In 2018, that the biggest recipient of funding from UC PACs or individual employees was Texas Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who challenged Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz.

[Pictured: Royce Hall on the campus of University of Californa, Los Angeles.]

#29. Soros Fund Management

- Total contributions: $8,810,146
--- Total hard money: $1,258,646 (14.3% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,551,500 (85.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $8,792,036 (99.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $12,510 (0.1% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Raphael Warnock ($11,200)

is a preeminent philanthropist, backing pro-democratic and progressive causes and earning the outspoken enmity of Donald Trump. , Soros called Trump a “confidence trickster” whose desire to remain in office makes him “very dangerous.” Soros’ political donations include support of , which is dedicated to winning a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate.

[Pictured: George Soros.]

#28. GH Palmer Assoc

- Total contributions: $8,826,794
--- Total hard money: $1,416,794 (16.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,410,000 (83.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $70 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $8,825,724 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Mitch McConnell ($5,600)

is a Southern California real estate developer whose holdings include more than 15,000 apartment units valued at more than $5 billion. The company is owned by Geoffrey Harrison Palmer, one of the this year to the reelection of Donald Trump. to Trump in 2016, as well.

#27. Greater New York Hospital Association

- Total contributions: $8,881,759
--- Total hard money: $100,159 (1.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $8,781,600 (98.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $8,867,311 (99.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $14,448 (0.2% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Hakeem Jeffries ($11,900)

is a network of more than 200 member Hospitals and Health Systems. It in Spring 2020 for immunity protections to shield hospitals and nursing homes from lawsuits linked to COVID-19 patient care.

[Pictured: Kenneth Raske, president and CEO of Greater New York Hospital Association.]

#26. Elliott Management

- Total contributions: $9,181,190
--- Total hard money: $1,657,963 (18.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,523,227 (81.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $115,313 (1.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $9,065,877 (98.7% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Dan Sullivan ($50,300)

Elliott Management, a New York-based hedge fund, is run by billionaire Paul Singer. Among its holdings, Elliott disclosed in September that it had taken a stake in Noble Energy Inc., an oil and natural gas exploration and production company that has agreed to be purchased by Chevron Corp. who obtains holdings in companies to force management and board changes or to break up potential deals.

[Pictured: Founder and president of Elliot Management Corporation, Paul Singer.]

#25. Stephens Inc.

- Total contributions: $9,288,694
--- Total hard money: $2,338,144 (25.2% of total contribution)
--- Total outside money: $6,950,550 (74.8% of total contribution)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $4,175 (0.0% of total contribution)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $9,284,492 (100.0% of total contribution)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: data not available

, Stephens Inc. is a private investment bank and financial services firm. Current company president and CEO Warren Stephens has in the past, particularly from Arkansas and surrounding states. Notably, Stephens is backing Trump’s reelection campaign this year, despite to anti-Trump conservative groups in 2016.

[Pictured: Stephens Inc. building in Little Rock, Arkansas.]

#24. Bain Capital

- Total contributions: $10,193,681
--- Total hard money: $3,103,181 (30.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,090,500 (69.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $10,126,581 (99.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $55,900 (0.5% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Alan Khazei ($121,800)

, the co-chairman of Boston-based private equity firm Bain Capital, and his wife are major donors to the Lincoln Project, a super PAC run by Republicans opposed to Donald Trump. The to support Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

[Pictured: The John Hancock Tower where Bain Capital is headquartered on the 36th to 43rd floors.]

#23. Alphabet Inc.

- Total contributions: $10,942,330
--- Total hard money: $8,933,801 (81.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $2,008,529 (18.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $10,006,600 (91.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $901,119 (8.2% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($1,083,510)

Employees at , have been one of the biggest political donors among tech companies. Among their favored candidates are Democrat Amy McGrath, who is challenging Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell for his seat in the U.S. Senate, and Democratic House member Josh Harder of California, who is seeking his second term.

[Pictured: Googleplex - Google Headquarters office buildings.]

#22. Marcus & Millichap

- Total contributions: $10,954,221
--- Total hard money: $953,221 (8.7% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $10,001,000 (91.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $10,930,581 (99.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $23,593 (0.2% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Donald Trump ($14,976)

The real estate firm was co-founded by George Marcus, a Greek immigrant who moved to the United States following World War II. Marcus and his wife Judith are major supporters of the Democratic Party’s candidates and positions, donating to the campaigns of Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as efforts to implement gun control.

[Pictured: The Huxley, a $75 million apartment complex under construction by Essex Property Trust, a Marcus & Millichap company.]

#21. Koch Industries

- Total contributions: $11,090,473
--- Total hard money: $2,577,127 (23.2% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $8,513,346 (76.8% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $139,480 (1.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $10,950,602 (98.7% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: David Perdue ($28,599)

, steered by billionaire Charles Koch's Americans for Prosperity PAC, is supporting four Republican senators seen in danger of losing their seats in November: David Perdue of Georgia, John Cornyn of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The latter state is considered a battleground state critical to the outcome of the presidential election. the rise of the grassroots conservative Tea Party movement.

[Pictured: Charles Koch in 2015.]

#20. Charles Schwab Corp.

- Total contributions: $11,538,544
--- Total hard money: $4,036,894 (35.0% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $7,501,650 (65.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $379,248 (3.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $11,158,846 (96.7% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($29,333)

, the founder and chairman of Charles Schwab Corp. discount brokerage and financial services company, has been making major donations to Republicans in the U.S. Senate and of Donald Trump. He has financially backed efforts to restrict contraception and reproductive rights and to restrict fundraising by labor unions.

[Pictured: Charles Schwab office building in Midtown Manhattan.]

#19. American Federation of State/Cnty/Munic Employees

- Total contributions: $11,633,841
--- Total hard money: $2,649,378 (22.8% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $8,984,463 (77.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $11,617,087 (99.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $8,919 (0.1% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Christy Smith ($20,033)

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is an active political donor as expanded collective bargaining rights, a living wage, paid sick and family leave, and equal pay for women. It endorsed California progressive , who is seeking to unseat Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in the U.S. House. They are competing in a district that includes Los Angeles and solidly supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race.

[Pictured: Barack Obama speaks during a rally supporting AFSCME.]

#18. Service Employees International Union

- Total contributions: $12,097,307
--- Total hard money: $2,044,352 (16.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $10,052,955 (83.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $12,095,056 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $1,382 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Bernie Sanders ($64,946)

In February 2020, for a campaign to defeat Donald Trump, focusing on battleground states and on getting out the vote among people of color. The SEIU has about 2 million members who work in health care, food service, janitorial services, and state and local government. Half its members are people of color, and more than half of its members are paid less than $15 an hour.

[Pictured: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey speaks during a SEIU members strike in 2019.]

#17. Laborers Union

- Total contributions: $12,391,825
--- Total hard money: $2,341,825 (18.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $10,050,000 (81.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $11,932,499 (96.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $459,326 (3.7% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Sara Gideon ($20,005)

The Laborers Union, which represents workers in the construction industry, announced its on Labor Day. Getting donations from individual union members is Maine House Speaker , who is seeking to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

[Pictured: The Moreschi Building, located at 905 16th Street NW in downtown Washington, D.C., serves as headquarters of the Laborers' International Union of North America.]

#16. Newsweb Corp.

- Total contributions: $12,852,284
--- Total hard money: $852,284 (6.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $12,000,000 (93.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $12,852,284 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Jaime Harrison ($5,657)

Commercial printer , which specializes in foreign language and alternative newspapers, was founded by Chicago businessman in 1971. He was a major supporter of Hillary Clinton in 2016 and now is a major donor to the .

#15. Renaissance Technologies

- Total contributions: $12,946,477
--- Total hard money: $1,885,977 (14.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $11,060,500 (85.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $12,852,022 (99.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $83,255 (0.6% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Nancy Goroff ($188,935)

is a hedge fund founded by mathematician James Simons. He has made major donations to a super PAC that was created by and Democratic strategists, and a super PAC created in 2011 by former White House staffers to back Barack Obama in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

[Pictured: James Simons, director of Renaissance Technologies LLC.]

#14. American Federation of Teachers

- Total contributions: $12,965,781
--- Total hard money: $2,797,461 (21.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $10,168,320 (78.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $12,949,227 (99.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $6,448 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($17,347)

, which has 1.7 million members, behind the Green New Deal in July 2020, particularly its call for higher wages and for providing jobs to veterans and rural Amercans. The Green New Deal was a 2019 congressional resolution that provides , from cutting military spending to supporting workers affected by a transition away from fossil fuels.

[Pictured: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.]

#13. Susquehanna International Group

- Total contributions: $13,227,101
--- Total hard money: $128,456 (1.0% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $13,098,645 (99.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $41,966 (0.3% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $12,668,285 (95.8% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Justin Amash ($16,800)

is a successful Pennsylvania trading company known for using strategies drawn from poker and chess. Co-founder Jeff Yass made a big donation this year to the super PAC, which says on its website that it opposes big-government politicians and supports limited-government conservatives.

[Pictured: SIG's European Headquarters, Dublin.]

#12. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research

- Total contributions: $13,593,150
--- Total hard money: $593,150 (4.4% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $13,000,000 (95.6% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $13,593,150 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Susan Collins ($5,600)

The was founded by billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson. Adelson, , is a .

[Pictured: Sheldon Adelson and Dr. Miriam Adelson.]

#11. Euclidean Capital

- Total contributions: $13,985,625
--- Total hard money: $485,625 (3.5% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $13,500,000 (96.5% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $13,980,025 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Tom O'Halleran ($8,400)

is the family office managing the private wealth of hedge fund billionaire . Before he founded Renaissance Technologies, Simons was a university math professor and a U.S. military codebreaker during the Vietnam War. Euclidean Capital has been.

[Pictured: Jim Simons attends the IAS Einstein Gala honoring him in 2019.]

#10. Las Vegas Sands

- Total contributions: $14,174,940
--- Total hard money: $1,174,940 (8.3% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $13,000,000 (91.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $11,187 (0.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $14,163,700 (99.9% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Donald Trump ($13,384)

Las Vegas Sands is a global casino empire controlled by , its majority shareholder, chief executive, and chairman, who is a major supporter of Donald Trump. Adelson and his wife Dr. Miriam Adelson gave more than $82 million to Republicans in 2016 and more than $123 million in 2018.

[Pictured: Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corps, Sheldon Adelson.]

#9. Carpenters & Joiners Union

- Total contributions: $16,246,849
--- Total hard money: $2,243,679 (13.8% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $14,003,170 (86.2% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $15,747,110 (96.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $499,671 (3.1% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Christy Smith ($20,000)

has been a supporter of the founded by Democrats after in 2010 helped Republicans win control of the U.S. House. The union, which has more than a half-million members, like fair labor standards, efforts to battle employer payroll fraud, fair trade agreements, and pension reform for workers to get full benefits.

#8. American Action Network

- Total contributions: $16,459,151
--- Total hard money: $1,126 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $16,458,025 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $126 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $16,459,025 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Greg Walden ($500)

has announced plans for multimillion-dollar advertising spending in the 2020 political season. It is what’s known as a that portrays itself as an industry association or nonprofit and runs campaign attack ads. It also is a significant contributor to the House Republicans’ super PAC, the .

[Pictured: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks with Fred Malek, one of the co-founders of the American Action Network.]

#7. Senate Majority PAC

- Total contributions: $17,702,825
--- Total hard money: $9,426 (0.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $17,693,399 (99.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $17,701,783 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $1,012 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($1,388)

The was founded in 2011 with the express aim of winning U.S. Senate races by challenging Republicans, defending Democrats from attacks, and chasing open Senate seats. It supports affordable and accessible health care and opposes tax breaks for the wealthy and cuts in Medicare and education funding.

#6. Bloomberg LP

- Total contributions: $20,168,703
--- Total hard money: $1,313,382 (6.5% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $18,855,321 (93.5% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $20,143,357 (99.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $24,665 (0.1% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($43,369)

The founder and head of Bloomberg LP media and financial data company, , made a promise in August to spend $60 million to bolster the Democratic majority in the U.S. House. Bloomberg, who made a brief presidential bid in 2020, has also made donations to the Democratic National Committee and to gun-control efforts.

[Pictured: Michael Bloomberg speaks during an event to introduce his gun safety policy agenda in 2019.]

#5. Paloma Partners

- Total contributions: $21,779,134
--- Total hard money: $2,154,134 (9.9% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $19,625,000 (90.1% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $21,773,534 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $5,600 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Cory Booker ($50,600)

, managed by , has been contributing to liberal causes like the House Majority PAC and . Sussman was a top donor to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

[Pictured: Donald Sussman, founder of Paloma Partners.]

#4. Sixteen Thirty Fund

- Total contributions: $27,434,247
--- Total hard money: $2,022 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $27,432,225 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $27,434,247 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Maya Rockeymoore Cummings ($600)

, a Washington-based nonprofit, serves as a . It focuses on issues such as racial and criminal justice, fighting climate change, and expanding economic opportunity. It was involved in funding efforts to block the nomination of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

[Pictured: A sign at a protest against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.]

#3. Blackstone Group

- Total contributions: $31,944,065
--- Total hard money: $3,694,421 (11.6% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $28,249,644 (88.4% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $3,147,511 (9.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $28,792,177 (90.1% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Joe Biden ($135,558)

Blackstone Group’s CEO Stephen Schwarzman is the largest campaign contributor in 2020 on Wall Street, backing Donald Trump and other Republicans. Reportedly worth more than $18 billion, the head of the real estate investment giant worked briefly in the Trump White House chairing a strategic and policy forum. He has made key donations to support Trump and Republicans in the House and Senate.

[Pictured: CEO and co-founder of Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman.]

#2. Fahr LLC

- Total contributions: $34,260,688
--- Total hard money: $102,257 (0.3% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $34,158,431 (99.7% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $34,260,688 (100.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $0 (0.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Democrat/liberal
- Top recipient of individual funds: Sara Gideon ($16,850)

supports efforts linked to sustainable energy, socially responsible finance, and fighting climate change. , a billionaire hedge fund manager and environmentalist. A critic of Donald Trump, Steyer  for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and has been an important Democratic donor for several years.

[Pictured: Thomas Fahr Steyer.]

#1. Uline Inc.

- Total contributions: $40,075,817
--- Total hard money: $2,025,817 (5.1% of total contributions)
--- Total outside money: $38,050,000 (94.9% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Democrats: $8,311 (0.0% of total contributions)
--- Contributions to Republicans: $40,067,459 (100.0% of total contributions)
- Political lean: solidly Republican/conservative
- Top recipient of individual funds: Tom Tiffany ($13,225)

, a Wisconsin-based shipping and packaging materials distributor, is led by Liz and Richard Uihlein, who are big donors to Donald Trump. Richard Uihlein has been a major supporter of Restoration PAC, a that calls for defunding Planned Parenthood and more support for police departments.

[Pictured: Close-up of the Uline logo on packing tape dispenser.]

Trending Now