Daily Disclosure from The Center for Public Integrity

Bad day for super donors

2012-11-07T11:27:44-05:00

Editor's Note: Today marks the final installment of the Daily Disclosure. To keep up with post-election, money-in-politics news, please visit Consider the Source.

Money can't buy happiness, nor can it buy an election, apparently.

The top donors to super PACs in 2012 did not fare well — casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the No. 1 super PAC contributor with more than $53 million in giving, backed eight losers at this writing.

Adelson was top backer of the pro-Mitt Romney Restore Our Future super PAC, with $20 million in donations. Romney lost to President Barack Obama. In addition, Adelson's contributions to super PACs backing U.S. Senate candidates in Florida, Virginia and New Jersey were also for naught.

He was not the only conservative billionaire who had a bad night.

Contran Corp. CEO Harold Simmons, (No. 2), homebuilder Bob Perry (No. 3) and TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, (No.4), also bet on Romney. Collectively, the trio gave $13.4 million to Restore Our Future, and Ricketts’ super PAC, Ending Spending Action Fund, spent an additional $9.9 million helping Romney’s failed bid.

The super donor winner of the night was Newsweb Corp. CEO Fred Eychaner (No. 5). Eychaner gave $3.5 million to pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action through the most recent filing period, which ended Oct. 17, according to Federal Election Commission records.

In Florida, Republican Rep. Connie Mack lost his challenge to the popular Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, who won with 55 percent of the vote. Adelson gave $2 million to the pro-Mack super PAC Freedom PAC, and Simmons and Perry gave a combined $255,000 to the group.

The hotly contested Senate race in Virginia attracted $2.5 million from Adelson and Perry, both giving to Independence Virginia, the super PAC supporting former Republican Sen. George Allen. His opponent, Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, won the seat with 52 percent of the vote.

Adelson also invested in the re-election of Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., in Florida’s 18th District, who was trailing in his battle with Democratic newcomer Patrick Murphy at this writing.

The casino billionaire’s $1 million to Patriot Prosperity, a New Jersey-specific super PAC supporting the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Joe Kyrillos, and the Republican candidate for U.S. House in the state’s 9th District, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, also did not pay off.

During the primary season, Adelson’s $16.5 million in contributions to the super PAC Winning Our Future was not enough guide former House Majority Leader Newt Gingrich to a Republican presidential nomination, though it is credited with keeping him in the race longer than expected. Nor were Adelson’s contributions enough to help Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst win the GOP primary for Texas Senate earlier this year, a cause to which gave at least a quarter-million dollars.

Adelson did score one point with his $2 million contribution that helped sink a Michigan ballot initiative seeking to enshrine collective bargaining in the state’s constitution. Adelson runs the only non-union casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

Win-Loss Rundown:

(Giving to candidate-specific super PACs in the federal election)

Sheldon Adelson, Republican, $53.7 million*

Mitt Romney — loss
Connie Mack (Florida Senate) — loss
George Allen (Virginia Senate) — loss
Allen West (House, Florida’s 18th) — too close to call, but leaning toward loss
Joe Kyrillos (New Jersey Senate) — loss
Shmuley Boteach (House, New Jersey’s 9th) — loss
Newt Gingrich (GOP presidential primary) — loss
David Dewhurst (GOP primary, Texas Senate) — loss

Harold Simmons, Republican, $26.9 million*

Mitt Romney — loss
Connie Mack (Florida Senate) — loss
Rick Santorum (GOP presidential primary) — loss
Newt Gingrich (GOP presidential primary) — loss
Rick Perry (GOP presidential primary) — loss
David Dewhurst (GOP primary, Texas Senate) — loss
Orrin Hatch (GOP primary, Utah Senate) — win

Bob Perry, Republican, $21.5 million*

Mitt Romney — loss
George Allen (Virginia Senate) — loss
Connie Mack (Florida Senate) — loss
Rick Perry (GOP presidential primary) — loss
David Dewhurst (GOP primary, Texas Senate) — loss

Joe Ricketts, Republican, $12.9 million*

Mitt Romney — loss

Fred Eychaner, Democrat, $12 million*

Barack Obama — win

Tuesday marked the first presidential election under the new campaign finance regime installed following the 2010 Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision. The ruling paved the way for super PACs and nonprofits, allowing them to accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations and unions, which could be spent on advertising backing or opposing candidates.

*As of Oct. 17, 2012 for the 2011-2012 election cycle. Source: Center for Responsive Politics and Center for Public Integrity analysis of Federal Election Commission records. Totals include contributions from individuals, family members and corporations that are controlled by the individual super donor.

Daily Disclosure: Last-minute efforts from a shadowy group favor Romney

2012-11-06T10:10:12-05:00

In the day before the election, more than $3.5 million was spent supporting GOP nominee Mitt Romney or opposing President Barack Obama while $34,000 was spent in support of the president, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

While Romney has enjoyed greater support with outside groups, the president’s campaign has raised more money, which has kept the two candidates about even in total ad spending.

Reports filed Monday show that in addition to the spending on the presidential race, groups also spent $800,000 to influence votes for U.S. Senate and House races.

Americans for Responsible Leadership, a conservative nonprofit, spent more than any other outside group yesterday with $2.7 million, most of it supporting Romney. The Arizona-based group did not become active in the election until mid-October.

Because it is a nonprofit, it is not required to disclose its donors; however, a court battle in California — the group has also been spending big on state-level ballot measures —culminated yesterday with the group disclosing its donors, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The disclosure wasn’t particularly illuminating — the nonprofit group’s donors were other nonprofits, which also keep their donors secret.

Americans for Job Security, for example, passed money to the Center to Protect Patients’ Rights, another nonprofit, which gave money to Americans for Responsible Leadership, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The original donors to Americans for Job Security are unknown.

California’s Fair Practices Political Commission said the failure to disclose the transfers amounts to campaign money laundering, Talking Points Memo reported.

The Center to Protect Patients’ Rights, which has distributed large checks to various other conservative nonprofits, is run by Sean Noble, whom Politico described as a “Koch operative.” The Koch brothers, Charles and David, are wealthy businessmen whose nonprofits have spent tens of millions of dollars this election.

The Center to Protect Patients’ Rights and Americans for Job Security are part of a larger, non-disclosing network of politically active, conservative nonprofits, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

By Oct. 30, more than $840 million in outside money had poured into the 2012 elections, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity and CRP, with conservative outside spenders exceeding liberal spenders by roughly 69 percent to 28 percent.

In other outside spending news:

Majority PAC, the super PAC supporting Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, released “Mainland” supporting Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and “Pay Raises” opposing Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D.
American Future Fund, a conservative nonprofit, released “Small Things” opposing Obama.

Who paid for that political ad? You might be surprised by the answer. Email us and we will try to find out. Describe the advertisement — was it mean or nice? Will it affect your vote? When and where did it run and what were the names of the candidates? And PLEASE tell us what the disclaimer at the end says, and we will check it out.

Daily Disclosure: Obama slammed with $37 million in attack ads

2012-11-05T12:49:11-05:00

In the final weekend before Election Day, President Barack Obama was hit with more than $37 million in attack ads; Romney faced less than $1 million in attacks, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Outside spenders dropped roughly $56.3 million on the presidential election in recent days, according to reports filed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More than two-thirds of the ads are negative, a Center for Public Integrity analysis shows.

On all federal races, outside groups reported over the weekend spending roughly $73.3 million.

The biggest outside spender, not counting party committees and traditional political action committees, was the conservative super PAC American Crossroads, co-founded by GOP strategist Karl Rove. It reported spending nearly $23 million, almost entirely opposing Obama.

In a distant second was American Future Fund, a conservative nonprofit, which reported spending $7.9 million, most of it supporting Romney. Two new anti-Obama ads, “Fed Up” and “Delphi” debuted Friday.

The primary pro-Romney super PAC, Restore Our Future, reported spending $4.4 million opposing Obama. It released the ad “Flatline” on Friday.

The main pro-Obama super PAC, Priorities USA Action, did not report spending any money over the weekend. An email sent to supporters indicates it is planning on making a final ad buy to continue airing “Stage,” which it says is its most effective ad of the election.

The top liberal spender on the presidential election over the weekend was Planned Parenthood Action Fund with $623,000 supporting Obama and opposing Romney.

Majority PAC, a super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, was the biggest overall liberal outside spender, with $2.5 million opposing Republican candidates for the upper chamber.

Of the U.S. Senate races, Arizona attracted the most outside money over the weekend — $1.8 million for the faceoff between former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, the Democrat, and Rep. Jeff Flake, the Republican. More than $851,000 went to opposing Flake.

The Senate race in Virginia between former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine and former Republican Sen. George Allen attracted $1.7 million. More than $1 million went to opposing Kaine.

It will not be known who financed the super PAC ads until after the election. The donors behind the nonprofit ads are not required to ever be disclosed.

In other outside spending news:

American Future Fund also released “Tomorrow” opposing Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., who is running for U.S. Senate in the state.
The conservative nonprofit U.S. Chamber of Commerce released an ad opposing Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., for $500,000.
Women Vote!, the super PAC of pro-abortion rights group EMILY’s List, released an ad opposing Republican Rep. Frank Guinta in New Hampshire’s 1st District and an ad opposing Republican Rep. Charlie Bass in New Hampshire’s 2nd District.
Ending Spending Action Fund, the conservative super PAC founded by TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, released “Chillicothe,” which supports Romney and opposes Obama, and “Clear Choice,” a radio ad that supports Nebraska state Sen. Deb Fischer, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the state.
The nonprofit League of Conservation Voters released “Leaders Lead,” opposing Romney and supporting Obama for their positions on climate change.

Daily Disclosure: Conservative outside ads spin Obama’s Sandy response

2012-11-02T10:06:34-04:00

With President Barack Obama earning high marks on his response to Hurricane Sandy, conservative outside spending groups and Republicans are seeking to contrast it with charges that he dropped the ball in Benghazi.

Americans for Limited Government’s “Obama Campaign Has Its ‘Perfect Storm’” and Campaign for American Values PAC’s “Obama Has Left Americans Behind” follow the line of attack launched by Michael Brown, the director of FEMA under George W. Bush, who was widely criticized for botching the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

While the new ads do not go quite as far as Brown, who charged the president with acting too quickly on the response to Sandy, they do capitalize on his juxtaposition of the president’s response to Sandy and his response to the terrorist attack on the American consulate in Libya.

Obama was “openly working with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during hurricane recovery,” the ALG ad begins. Christie, a Republican with presidential aspirations, heaped praise on the president for his response, which was seen as a hit to GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

“Obama didn’t react to terrorist attacks in Libya the same way he reacted to Sandy,” cursive text on the screen continues. “The Obama admin. [sic] tried to blame the attack on a movie released on YouTube. Maybe they can try to blame Hurricane Sandy on one of those Al Gore movies.”

A movie poster from “The Day After Tomorrow,” a high-budget, special-effects driven disaster film from 2004, is shown in the background.

The ad from Campaign for American Values PAC, headed by conservative evangelical activist Gary Bauer, shows a clip of Obama speaking after the hurricane saying, “We pull together and we leave nobody behind.”

“Sadly, Mr. President,” the narrator says, “Your administration did leave somebody behind.”

The ad flashes photos of the four Americans killed in the Benghazi attacks, who reportedly had requested and were denied additional security in the days before the attack.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he did not have adequate information to “put forces at risk in that situation.”

While conservatives are using Hurricane Sandy to criticize Obama’s response to past disasters, Democrats are using it to criticize Romney for past statements about wanting to eliminate the federal disaster response agency.

In the wake of Sandy, Romney released a statement changing his tune. He said that as president, he would “ensure FEMA has the funding it needs to fulfill its mission,” though he reiterated his intent to direct “maximum resources” to state and local first responders.

Americans for Limited Government, a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” organization that functions like a super PAC but is not required to disclose its donors, has not reported any campaign spending to the Federal Election Commission, though it has produced at least a dozen online videos opposing Obama and other Democrats.

The Campaign for American Values PAC, a super PAC, has reported spending $575,000 opposing Obama and supporting Romney. Its biggest donor is Texas-based “Corporate Land Management,” which contributed $600,000. Mother Jones traced the generically named corporation to Tim Horner, the president of a jewelry company that advocates Christian values.

In other outside spending news:

Fair Share Action, a liberal super PAC, reported spending $714,000 supporting Obama, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Rep. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who is running for U.S. Senate. The super PAC is funded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Environment America. It also in-kind from its non-disclosing sister nonprofit, Fair Share Alliance and has received nearly a half-million from millionaire software entrepreneur Tim Gill and his LGBT advocacy group, Gill Action Fund.
Conservative nonprofit Americans for Job Security reported spending $2.5 million opposing Obama.
The conservative Now or Never super PAC reported spending $1.8 million supporting Rep. Todd Akin, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Missouri, and opposing Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota and Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin.
Crossroads GPS, a conservative nonprofit, reported spending $1.6 million supporting Romney and opposing Heitkamp and former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the state. It released “Walk Away,” a Spanish-language ad opposing Obama.
Its sister super PAC American Crossroads released “Debate” and “China” opposing Obama.
Independence USA PAC, the bipartisan super PAC of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, reported spending $1.3 million supporting Connecticut state Sen. Andrew Roraback, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the state’s 5th District, as well as in support of Rep. Bob Dold, R-Ill. It also paid for direct mail ads opposing Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., and Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif.
Pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future reported spending $1 million on ads opposing Obama and supporting Romney.
Ending Spending, a conservative nonprofit funded and run by TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, released “Past Due” opposing Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., who is running for U.S. Senate. Its sister super PAC, Ending Spending Action Fund, reported spending $920,000.
Let Freedom Ring and the Hispanic Leadership Fund co-produced “Eduardo” in opposition to Obama. Let Freedom Ring also released “Things Have Been Looking Up.”

Daily Disclosure: Bloomberg’s super PAC backs candidates in both parties

2012-11-01T15:19:52-04:00

A super PAC founded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg reported spending $4.9 million on both Republicans and Democrats in Florida, Illinois and California, according to Federal Election Commission records filed Wednesday.

Independence USA PAC was formed Oct. 18, and voters won't know who its donors are until after the election. The group has spent $6 million so far this election.

The super PAC spent $2.5 million supporting the U.S. House run of California state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, a Democrat; $1.8 million supporting the House run of former Orlando Chief of Police Val Demings, a Democrat; and $909,000 supporting Rep. Bob Dold, R-Ill., among other candidates.

The billionaire media mogul, now an independent, was a lifelong Democrat who switched to the GOP when he first ran for mayor.

He has pledged his super PAC will spend between $10 million and $15 million supporting state, local and congressional candidates who value bipartisanship and Bloomberg’s agenda, which includes supporting same-sex marriage, an overhaul of public schools, and his signature cause, gun control.

While Independence USA hasn't reported its donors, records show that a politically active nonprofit, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, is primarily supported by the mayor.

While Bloomberg has become increasingly involved in national politics this election, he had repeatedly declined to discuss the presidential election. He has expressed disappointment with both candidates. Today, he endorsed President Barack Obama.

The super PAC is run by Howard Wolfson, Bloomberg’s deputy mayor, who is taking a leave of absence from City Hall until the election.

In other outside spending news:

Restore Our Future, the super PAC supporting GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, reported spending $12.1 million opposing President Barack Obama.
Priorities USA, the super PAC supporting Obama, reported spending $10.6 million opposing Romney. It released “Connect the Dots,” which opposes Romney and Gov. Rick Scott of Florida.
American Crossroads, a conservative super PAC, reported spending $7.6 million opposing Obama and the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Indiana and Nebraska. It released “Four Years,” which opposes Rep. Joe Donnelly, the Democratic candidate in Indiana, and “Consequences,” which opposes former Sen. Bob Kerrey, running for his former seat in Nebraska.
Its sister nonprofit Crossroads GPS released “No Clue” opposing Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., who is running for U.S. Senate in the state.
House Majority PAC, a super PAC backing House Democrats, reported spending $4.2 million opposing Republican candidates for U.S. House in numerous races. It released “Little Bit” opposing Saratoga Springs, Utah, Mayor Mia Love, the Republican candidate for House in the state’s 4th District.
Majority PAC, a super PAC backing Senate Democrats, reported spending $3.3 million. It released “Made Of” opposing Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the state, and “The Difference,” opposing Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is running for U.S. Senate.
American Future Fund, a conservative nonprofit that reported spending $2.4 million on Wednesday, released “Listening” in support of Jonathan Paton, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Arizona’s 1st District. A half-million dollars of that expenditure paid for the Paton ad; the rest supported Romney.
Americans for Tax Reform, a nonprofit run by conservative activist Grover Norquist, released six ads opposing Democrats running for U.S. House:
“Never Ending Spending” opposes Rep. Mark Critz in Pennsylvania’s 12 District;
“Tax Raising Politicians” opposes Rep. Charlie Wilson in Ohio’s 6th District;
“Typical Selfish Politician” opposes Port of San Diego Commissioner Scott Peters, running in California’s 52nd District;
“Safe” opposes Rep. John Barrow in Georgia’s 12th District;
“Skyrocket” opposes Rep. Ben Chandler in Kentucky’s 6th District;
“Wrong Prescription” opposes former Illinois National Guard Commander Bill Enyart in Illinois’ 12th District.

Daily Disclosure: Super PACs aim to spook voters with Halloween ads

2012-10-31T09:51:43-04:00

Outside spenders are getting in the holiday spirit with Halloween-themed ads designed to scare voters away from the targeted candidates.

A foggy cemetery, a haunted house and shadowy figures loom in House Majority PAC’s ad, as the narrator speaks in a quivering voice pretending to be a ghost, explaining why voters should be afraid of Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco, the Republican candidate running in Texas’ 23rd District.

The narrator suddenly cuts the ghost voice and says, “This isn’t a Halloween story, though it is scary. It’s Quico Canseco’s — a person and a story that fits right into Washington.”

One of the ads main claims — that Canseco owes hundreds of thousands in liens over unpaid payroll taxes and contracting fees — was reported by the San Antonio Express-News in July 2010.

Canseco disputes the claim. He said the bulk of what is owed is a result of disagreements between contractors and tenants on properties he owns and that he was only named because he is the landlord.

Canseco faces Democratic challenger Pete Gallego, a Texas state representative. House Majority PAC’s Halloween ad is part of a $415,000 buy in Texas’ 23rd District, a Republican-leaning swing district.

The race has seen $6.6 million in outside spending, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Conservative spenders are also using the holiday to their advantage.

“Kathy Hochul promised us lots of treats…But Hochul tricked us!” says the childlike narrator of the Congressional Leadership Fund’s new ad opposing the Democratic congresswoman in New York’s 27th District.

The animated “Trick or Treat,” which shows children in costumes, ghosts gliding by and bats flapping across the screen, says “Hochul treated herself – personally profiting from companies that outsource and do business with China.”

The claim is supposedly based on Hochul’s personal investments in companies that manufacture products in China; however, an accusation first made by the conservative news outlet, Washington Free Beacon.

Hochul has also criticized her Republican challenger, businessman Chris Collins, for benefitting from outsourcing, though the Buffalo News has called those claims misleading.

The trick-or-treat ad, airing in Buffalo and Rochester, cost $900,000, according to a press release. New York’s 27th District has seen more than $5 million in outside spending, according to CRP.

First-term incumbent Hochul is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats, according to The New York Times.

In other outside spending news:

Conservative super PAC American Crossroads reported spending $14.1 million on ads opposing President Barack Obama and Democrats in U.S. Senate and House races. It also released two new ads: “Silent” opposes Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. “No Slate” opposes Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who is running for U.S. Senate.

Its sister nonprofit Crossroads GPS reported spending $5.1 million and released a handful of new ads opposing Democrats:

“Blew It” opposes former Maine Gov. Angus King, the independent candidate for U.S. Senate in the state;
“Dictionary” opposes Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who is running for U.S. Senate in the state;
“Roadblock” opposes former North Dakota Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the state;
“Down” opposes Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio;
“MeadWestvaco” and “Both” oppose former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the state;
“Mesa de cocina” opposes Obama.

House Majority PAC also released:

“Insider” opposing Rodney Davis, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Illinois’ 13th District;
“Representing You” opposing Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif.;
“Extreme” opposing Jackie Walorski, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Indiana’s 2nd District
“Dine” opposing Georgia state Rep. Lee Anderson, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Georgia’s 12th District;
“Who We Are” opposing Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn.
“About Women” opposing Vernon Parker, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Arizona’s 9th District;
“Why” opposing Jonathan Paton, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Arizona’s 1st District;
“Play by the Rules” opposing Quico Canseco (co-released with LCV Victory Fund, affiliated with the League of Conservation Voters);
“Dream” supports Pete Gallego, Canseco’s Democratic challenger in Texas’ 23rd District.

Congressional Leadership Fund also released ads opposing Democratic candidates for U.S. House in four races:

“Join Me’” opposes Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.;
“Duck Hunt” opposes Gallego in Texas’ 23rd District;
“Swept” opposes Rep. Gary McDowell, D-Mich;
“Leech” opposes former Arizona state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Democratic candidate in Arizona’s 9th District.

Conservative nonprofit Americans for Tax Reform released four new ads opposing Democrats:

“Control” opposes former Rep. Charlie Wilson, running in Ohio’s 6th District;
“Wrong Prescription for New York” and “Shocking” oppose Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y.;
“Napkin” opposes Colorado state Rep. Sal Pace, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Colorado’s 3rd District.

Daily Disclosure: Tennessee congressman targeted in ads over alleged affair

2012-10-30T10:57:26-04:00

Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee was hit for the second time in as many weeks over an alleged affair he had with a patient, whom he reportedly pressured to have an abortion.

The second ad from the Democratic House Majority PAC, brings the super PAC’s buys in the race to $280,000, according to a press release.

The new ad, “Quotes,” features the narrator quoting from the Chattanooga Times Free Press’ endorsement of his Democratic opponent, Tennessee state Sen. Eric Stewart.

“DesJarlais is not only a hypocrite, but a fraud,” the editorial reads, citing that he claims to be an anti-abortion advocate yet allegedly encouraged his pregnant mistress a decade ago to undergo the procedure.

So far, House Majority PAC is the only outside spender in this race to invest significant funds. “Trust,” House Majority PAC’s first ad opposing DesJarlais, debuted Oct. 19 and cost $100,000, according to a press release.

The super PAC’s top donor is Newsweb CEO Fred Eychaner who has contributed $3.8 million. Eychaner has given $12 million to Democratic super PACs.

Meanwhile, the the same newspaper reported that the congressman had a second affair. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester called for the congressman to step down, according to the Free Press. DesJarlais' campaign called the attacks a "smear campaign" and a distraction from the issues.

In other outside spending news:

House Majority PAC released four other ads:

“Everywhere” and “Four Dollars” oppose Rep. Allen West, R-Fla.;
“Right Choice” supports John Ewing, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska’s 2nd District;
“Believe” opposes businessman Chris Collins, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in New York’s 27th District.

The NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the politically active nonprofit arm of the National Rifle Association, released an ad supporting former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the state, and an ad supporting Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who is running for U.S. Senate. It reported spending $350,000 on ads.

American Unity PAC, a conservative super PAC, released “Home,” which supports Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-N.Y., “Clear Choice,” which supports Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., and “Deserve Better,” which supports Richard Tisei, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in Massachusetts’ 6th District.

Conservative nonprofits Let Freedom Ring and Independent Women’s Voices released two pro-Mitt Romney ads, “Feeling Guilty” and “Mr. Dependable.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported spending $7.5 million on numerous House races.

The League of Conservation Voters released “Winners and Losers” with Majority PAC in opposition to former Sen. George Allen, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia. LCV also released “Romney Opposes Wind Energy Tax Credit.”

Daily Disclosure: Congressman gets help from Chevron-powered super PAC

2012-10-29T11:11:09-04:00

After Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, cancelled more than $800,000 in network television advertising last week, the conservative Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC stepped in to fill the void.

Renacci, a Republican just finishing his freshman term, faces Rep. Betty Sutton, a three-term Democrat, in Ohio’s newly redrawn 16th District, which has attracted more outside spending than any other House race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics — more than $8.8 million.

Chevron Corp., ranked No. 3 on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. companies, made a $2.5 million contribution on Oct. 7 to the Leadership Fund, which is dedicated to electing Republicans to the House and Senate, as The Center for Public Integrity reported last week.

Renacci said the market had reached saturation and people were simply tuning out the ads. The New York Times reported that next to Las Vegas, the Cleveland area has seen more political ads than any other market.

This weekend’s “Hall of Fame,” the Leadership Fund’s newest anti-Sutton ad, is the second in a $1.8 million buy, according to a press release.

The narrator calls the congresswoman “hall of fame tax-and-spender Betty Sutton,” and it details her support for the stimulus, cap-and-trade legislation to control carbon emissions and the Wall Street bank bailout.

The first ad in the October campaign, “Busy Betty,” premiered last week. It comes after the super PAC spent more than $1 million against Sutton in September, when the Leadership Fund first began airing ads in the district.

The group has reported spending $2.4 million on the race to date, Federal Election Commission records show.

House Majority PAC, one of the top Democratic outside spenders active in the race, has also spent about $2.4 million since September, when it first started airing ads in the district, FEC records show.

Last week, House Majority PAC released “Cloud” opposing Renacci. The ad is running for one week in the Cleveland market and cost $730,000, according to a press release.

“Cloud” hits Renacci for trying to “avoid paying taxes on nearly $14 million.” This claim has been made in anti-Renacci ads from Sutton herself, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The statement is true, according to PolitiFact – Renacci and his wife underreported their income in 2000 by $13.6 million, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Oct. 19, and the couple is still disputing the penalty.

The Renacci campaign is continuing to run ads on cable channels, though to a lesser extent, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

In other outside spending news:

The Congressional Leadership Fund reported spending $2.6 million over the weekend and also released three other ads:

“Trick or Treat” opposes Rep. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y.;
“Imagine” opposes former Wisconsin Sen. Pat Kreitlow, the Democrat running for U.S. House in Wisconsin’s 7th District;
“Twinkle” and the Spanish version “Estrellita” oppose Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif.

American Action Network, a conservative nonprofit, reported spending $4.4 million and released four news ads:

“Pumping Iron” and “Levantando pesas” oppose Nevada Assemblyman John Oceguera, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in the state’s 3rd District.
“Mad Science” opposes physician David Gill, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Illinois’ 13th District.
“Standing” opposes former Rep. Rick Nolan, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Minnesota’s 8th District.

Conservative super PAC Ending Spending Action Fund reported spending $2.6 million and released four new ads:

“Wrong” opposes former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Arizona.
“Energy Virginia” opposes President Barack Obama and former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who is running for U.S. Senate.
“Distorting” opposes Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., and supports his challenger, Nebraska state Sen. Deb Fischer, a Republican.
“Energy Ohio” opposes Obama and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

House Majority PAC reported spending $1.9 million and released three new ads:

“Game” opposes Connecticut state Sen. Andrew Roraback, the Republican candidate for U.S. House in the state’s 5th District.
“Our Time” opposes Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.
“Today” supports former Florida state Sen. Al Laswon, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Florida’s 2nd District.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported spending $3 million and released two new ads: “What’s Tim Kaine’s Plan for Virginia?” opposing the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the state, and “A Serious Threat to Jobs” opposing Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who is running for U.S. Senate.

Conservative nonprofit American Future Fund released “Hands” and “Real Solutions” supporting Mitt Romney and his running mate Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. It reported spending $2.7 million over the weekend.

The National Republican Congressional Committee reported spending $6.6 million on ads opposing Democrats and supporting Republicans.

Daily Disclosure: Chevron gives $2.5 million to conservative super PAC

2012-10-26T12:11:22-04:00

The dearth of large contributions being made by big corporations to super PACs so far this election has ended.

Chevron Corp., ranked No. 3 on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. companies, made a $2.5 million contribution on Oct. 7 to the conservative Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to electing Republicans to the House and Senate.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010, which allowed corporate money to be spent on elections, there were predictions that companies would tap their treasuries and flood races with unlimited cash.

Instead, the bulk of the giving has come from individuals — like casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Adelson and wife Miriam gave at least $14.5 million in the first 17 days of October, boosting his total giving to the controversial political organizations to a remarkable $53 million. It would take 10,600 contributions of $5,000, the maxiumum allowed to candidates, for Adleson to reach that amount were he giving directly to campaigns.

Super PACs filed their final reports before the Nov. 6 election on Thursday with the Federal Election Commission. Adelson is far and away the biggest donor to the organizations this election cycle.

Chevron, the No. 2 oil and gas company in the U.S. with 2011 revenue of nearly a quarter-trillion dollars, is active in nearly every aspect of the energy business, including the highly controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a means of extracting natural gas from shale deposits.

The company spent $9.5 million lobbying the federal government in 2011 and $5.3 million so far this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Chevron becomes at least the fifth Fortune 500 company to give to super PACs this election, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of corporate giving, and by far, the largest. Others include Florida-based Fidelity National Information Services (425th), which gave the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC Restore Our Future $75,000; CONSOL Energy (399th), which donated $150,000 to the group; Alpha Natural Resources (356th), which gave $100,000 to American Crossroads; and Caesars Entertainment Corp. (288th), which gave $150,000 to Majority PAC.

Chevron’s donation to the Congressional Leadership Fund represented the bulk of the group’s receipts for the reporting period. The super PAC took in $3.1 million through the first part of October, entering the home stretch with $8.7 million in the bank.

The Adelsons gave $10 million to Restore Our Future over the reporting period, bringing the organization’s receipts to a whopping $20.2 million, more than it raised for the entire month of September.

Restore Our Future also benefitted from $1 million from Jerry Perenchio, former owner of Spanish-language broadcast company Univision; $1 million from super donor Harold Simmons; $1 million from real estate mogul Edward St. John; and $1 million from hedge fund pioneer Julian Robertson.

Restore Our Future’s fundraising easily eclipsed that of Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting President Barack Obama, which brought in $13 million. The pro-Obama group had outraised Restore Our Future for the past two months.

Priorities received seven $1 million contributions all from individual donors. They include Mark Pincus, the CEO of Zynga, the online game maker, hedge fund billionaire George Soros* and LinkedIn founder Reid Garrett Hoffman.

Restore reported $24.2 million in cash going into the home stretch while Priorities had $10.1 million, according to FEC records.

In the final months of campaign, more super PACs dedicated to the election of U.S. House and Senate candidates have emerged.

Treasure Coast Jobs Coalition, a super PAC supporting Republican Rep. Allen West in Florida’s 18th District, received $1 million from the Adelsons. So did Freedom PAC, which supports Rep. Connie Mack’s quest for U.S. Senate in Florida.

Adelson is also helping former Virginia Gov. and Sen. George Allen in the state. Allen lost a close race to Sen. Jim Webb, the Democrat, in 2006, who is not running for re-election. He faces former Gov. Tim Kaine in a close race for the Senate seat.

Adelson gave $1.5 million to Independence Virginia, which is supporting Allen. The couple also gave $1 million to Joe Ricketts’ Ending Spending Action Fund, a super PAC that supports fiscally conservative candidates.

Ending Spending, which has promised to spend at least $12 million in the weeks leading up to the election, reported $4 million in cash on hand. While it has only raised $1 million so far in October, its founder Ricketts gave more than $11 million to the super PAC in September.

American Crossroads, the conservative super PAC co-founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove, brought in $11.7 million in the first part of October, thanks largely to a $4 million contribution from super donor Simmons and $1 million each from Texas homebuilder Bob Perry and oil man and hedge fund chief T. Boone Pickens, another Texan.

American Crossroads had $6.4 million in the bank as of Oct. 17.

Democratic donors also kept their checkbooks open in October. Fred Eychaner, the CEO of Newsweb Corp., gave $2 million to House Majority PAC, which supports Democratic U.S. House candidates, and $2 million to Majority PAC, which supports Senate Democrats.

Majority PAC took in $9.9 million, including a $1 million contribution from Tennessee real estate mogul Franklin Haney and $900,000 from Arnold Hiatt, the former president of the Stride Rite footwear company.

It reported $7.5 million cash on hand as of Oct. 17.

Hiatt also gave $900,000 to House Majority PAC, which raised $6.7 million and had $5.2 million on hand as of Oct. 17.

In other outside spending news:

The Democratic Senatorial Congressional Committee reported spending $8.5 million opposing Republican candidates for U.S. Senate.
The Republican National Committee reported spending $5.2 million opposing Obama, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee reported spending $7.8 million opposing Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.
Conservative nonprofit Crossroads GPS reported spending $3.7 million opposing Obama and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and House in several races.
Majority PAC, a super PAC backing Senate Democrats, reported spending $3.1 million opposing Republican candidates in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Montana, Indiana, Nevada, Virginia and New Jersey.
House Majority PAC reported spending $2.3 million opposing Republicans in numerous races. The super PAC released three news ads: “False Start” opposes Richard Tisei, the Republican candidate in Massachusetts’ 6th District; “Person” opposing Randy Altschuler, the Republican candidate in New York’s 1st District, and “Our Choice,” supporting Bill Enyart, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Illinois’ 12th District.
Women Vote!, a pro-abortion rights super PAC, reported spending $1 million opposing Republican House and Senate candidates.
Ending Spending Action Fund reported spending $1 million opposing Obama, former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey in Nebraska, who is running to get his old job back, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. The spending also supported Romney and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, Brown’s Republican challenger.
American Action Network, a conservative nonprofit, released “Rail” opposing Democratic House candidate Jose Hernandez in California’s 10th District, and “Spending” opposing former Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire’s 1st District.
American Unity PAC, a conservative super PAC, released “Putting People Ahead of Politics,” supporting Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., and “Politics Aside,” supporting Andrew Roraback in Connecticut’s 5th District and former wrestling executive Linda McMahon for U.S. Senate in Connecticut.
The 60 Plus Association, a conservative nonprofit, released “Strengthen,” starring Pat Boone and opposing Obama.
American Future Fund, a conservative nonprofit, released four new ads: “Reno Gazette-Journal Endorsement” and “Orlando Sentinel Endorsement” oppose Obama, “Paper” opposes Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin; and “Raises” opposes Democratic California Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, running for U.S. House in the state’s 26th District.

Michael Beckel contributed to this report.

*George Soros is the chairman of Open Society Foundation, which provides financial support to the Center for Public Integrity. For a list of the Center’s donors, visit the website.

Daily Disclosure: Adelson spends big on Virginia U.S. Senate race

2012-10-25T13:57:35-04:00

Big outside money is pouring into the race for U.S. Senate in Virginia, and for one super PAC, “outside” means from across the country.

Independence Virginia, a super PAC supporting former U.S. Senator and Gov. George Allen, the Republican candidate, reported Wednesday spending $1.5 million on ads opposing the Democratic candidate, former Gov. Tim Kaine.

Two weeks ago, casino magnate and super donor Sheldon Adelson, who lives in Las Vegas, gave Independence Virginia $1.5 million, according to the super PAC’s most recent donor disclosure report to the Federal Election Commission.

Adelson and has family have topped $40 million in giving to conservative super PACs this election, making them No. 1.

But Adelson’s Las Vegas money isn’t the only contribution to have traveled a long way to Virginia. Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, another top super PAC donor, gave $1 million to Independence Virginia in August and September, which was just disclosed last week.

Perry, who has given $20.5 million to conservative super PACs this election, is the third-biggest super PAC donor.

Wyoming investor Foster Friess, another prolific donor gave the group $10,000.

Independence Virginia has spent $3.9 million this election, entirely on anti-Kaine ads.

The race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jim Webb has attracted more money than any other outside spending race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics — $33 million, not counting Wednesday’s Independence Virginia ad buys.

The conservative nonprofit Crossroads GPS has reported spending $8 million backing Allen, making it the top outside spender in the race. Majority PAC, a super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, is in second place with $5 million, according to CRP.

In other outside spending news:

Pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future reported spending $18.3 million on ads supporting Romney and opposing Obama. The Daily Disclosure reported on the ads, “Genuinely Cares” and “Better” Wednesday.
Conservative super PAC American Crossroads reported spending $11.3 million on ads supporting Romney and opposing Obama. It released three anti-Obama ads: “Bow,” “At Stake” and “Survive.” “At Stake” stars actor Clint Eastwood, who famously talked to an empty chair at the Republican National Convention.
Its sister nonprofit Crossroads GPS reported spending $3.3 million on pro-Romney/anti-Obama ads and an additional $1.1 million on ads opposing Rep. Joe Donnelly, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Indiana.
The conservative nonprofit Americans for Job Security reported spending $2.5 million opposing Obama.
Pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action reported spending $4 million opposing Romney.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported spending $9.4 million opposing Republican candidates for U.S. House.
The conservative nonprofit American Action Network reported spending $925,000 opposing Democrats in three U.S. House races. A full $628,000 was dedicated to ads opposing former NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, the Democratic candidate in California’s 10th District.
Majority PAC, a super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, reported spending $3 million opposing Republican candidates in Virginia, North Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin.
House Majority PAC, a super PAC backing House Democrats, reported spending $2.6 million opposing Republicans in numerous House races. It released “About Values,” opposing Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., on Wednesday.
Americans for Tax Reform, a conservative nonprofit, released “Wrong Prescription for Florida,” which opposes Al Lawson, the Democratic candidate running for U.S. House against Southerland in Florida’s 2nd District.
Planned Parenthood Votes released an ad opposing Rep. Denny Rehberg, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana.
“We Stand for Coal” from the conservative nonprofit Americans for Prosperity opposes Obama.
Patriot Majority PAC, a liberal political action committee affiliated with the nonprofit Patriot Majority USA, released “Romney is Bain.”
FreedomWorks for America, a conservative nonprofit, released 11 news ads: seven oppose Obama and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Ohio, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Arizona, and four support the Republican candidates in several of those races.
Conservative super PAC Let Freedom Ring USA, which released eight ads Wednesday, put out another four: “Stand Up for Your Faith” (with the Pennsylvania Catholics Network), “Mother Teresa,” “Persecuting” and “You Didn’t Build That.”