Recently-released campaign finance filings show that Restore our Future, the pro-Romney super PAC, raised $6.4 million in February. Nearly half of it came from one man: Texas home builder Bob Perry.
This year, a relatively small number of super-wealthy donors are taking advantage of new rules that permit them to make unlimited contributions to independent groups supporting the presidential candidates.
Winning our Future, the pro-Gingrich super PAC, took in $5.7 million. Nearly all of it came from a $5.5 million donation from the Adelson family. To date, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife have given more than $15 million to keep his friend Newt Gingrich in the race.
Another big donor is Texas banker Harold Simmons. Just last month, he made six-figure donations to both Winning our Future and Restore our Future. His wife, Annette, gave $1 million to the pro-Santorum group, The Red White and Blue Fund, accounting for about a third of the group’s $2.9 million February fundraising haul.
But keep an eye out for the sleeping giant called American Crossroads. The Karl Rove-affiliated super PAC raised $3.4 million last month and has nearly $24 million in the bank. Its big contributors last month included TRT Holdings, which owns Omni Hotels, and gambling magnate Irving Moskowitz. Each wrote checks for $1 million.
This may have the pro-Obama group, Priorities USA Action, a little worried. It has less than $3 million in the bank, after raising $2 million last month. Half of it came from comedian Bill Maher. Health care entrepreneur Kareem Ahmed donated $500,000.
Check out Alex’s segment on the campaign money race: