AJC: Candidates’ reliance on PACs grows, beginning with fundraising

[portlander23]

Candidates’ reliance on PACs grows, beginning with fundraising

Jeb Bush that boasts about a dozen staffers based in Los Angeles and a jaw-dropping $100 million raised in its debut months. The PAC, Right to Rise, launched a $24 million television ad campaign Tuesday in the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina touting Bush’s conservative record.

Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz brought in $36 million in super PAC money, the vast majority coming from three families who shape the strategy of separate PACs.

Democrats, who mostly denounced Citizens United and the influence of money in politics, have been more conflicted about taking advantage of the super PAC era. Insurgent presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has made his rejection of big donors a signature part of his campaign.

But front-runner Hillary Clinton had raised $17.1 million through super PACs through June. In a legal filing this week, Democratic Party election lawyers asked the FEC for guidance on legal gray areas for super PAC fundraising, signaling their intention to expand their use of the groups.

The candidates whose allied super PACs and “527 groups” raised the most money
1. Jeb Bush (R): $103 million

2. Ted Cruz (R): $37.8 million

3. Scott Walker (R): $26.2 million

4. Hillary Clinton (D): $17.1 million

5. Marco Rubio (R): $16.1 million

6. Rick Perry (R): $12.8 million (dropped out of the race Friday)

[oasis]

1. Looks like Hillary's got some catching up to do.