Obama Continues to Outpace Romney in Communications Sector Contributions
Communications and electronic groups increased campaign contributions to GOP presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney in Q1, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. But industry groups vastly favored President Barack Obama, giving his reelection campaign $4.75 million in the 2012 election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission data current as of April 21.
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The sector gave $1.42 million to the ex-governor of Massachusetts in the 2012 election cycle, a 94 percent increase from Q4 following the exits of nearly all his Republican presidential campaign competitors. Romney’s remaining challenger, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, received $724,906 from communications and electronic groups. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who announced his withdrawal from the race Wednesday, raised $174,648 from the industry.
The communications and electronics sector gave $11.2 million in PAC contributions to federal candidates, the center said, citing FEC data current as of April 30. The sector’s PACs favored Republicans, giving that party’s candidates 55 percent of contributions. House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., raised $206,500 this election cycle from the communications sector, and $742,465 in total PAC money. House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., raised $101,300 from the sector, and $1.08 million in total PAC money.
Democrats in the House minority have been unable to elicit the same level of industry funding as the GOP. Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., raised $110,238 from industry groups. Full committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., raised $74,000 from the communications sector and $227,200 in total PAC money.
Senate Commerce Committee leaders aren’t facing elections in 2012 and they raised far less than House counterparts. Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., raised $45,500 from the communications sectors in the 2012 cycle, and $146,500 total from all industries. Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., has raised $13,588 from communications and $48,466 total. Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim DeMint, R-S.C., raised $15,000 from communications and $75,000 in total PAC money. Commerce Committee Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, plans to retire in 2012.
PACs at AT&T, Verizon and other telcos gave $2.65 million to federal candidates so far in the 2012 cycle, and 60 percent has gone to Republicans, the center’s data showed. AT&T continues to lead the pack with $1.36 million in contributions. The carrier’s PAC sent $861,500 to Republicans and $493,500 to Democrats. Verizon, the next biggest contributor among telcos, gave $493,100 total, with $278,500 to Republicans and $216,500 to Democrats. AT&T PACs have given $5,000 to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and nothing to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. It gave $6,000 to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and $2,500 to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Neither senator faces reelection. Verizon’s PACs gave $10,000 apiece to Boehner and McConnell. The telco gave $1,000 to Pelosi and nothing to Reid.
CenturyLink’s PAC led contributions among the non-Bell telephone utilities. It gave $224,600 total, with $130,350 to Republicans and $94,250 to Democrats. The National Telecommunications Cooperative Association gave $139,000 total, with $90,300 to the GOP. USTelecom gave $60,000, with $33,000 to Democrats vs. $27,000 for the GOP.
Comcast is the dominant ISP contributor to candidates other than the top-two Bells. In the 2012 cycle, the company’s PAC gave $980,000, with $508,000 to Republicans and $472,000 to Democrats. T-Mobile USA led contributions among wireless carriers other than Verizon Wireless and AT&T. The carrier contributed $253,000 so far, with $144,500 to Republicans. Sprint Nextel contributed $86,000 of $169,500 to GOP candidates. CTIA has spent $124,500, with nearly twice as much to Republicans ($81,500) as Democrats ($43,000).
Some CLECs are giving slightly more to Democrats than Republicans. Tw telecom, giving the most among CLECS, gave $73,000 to Democrats and $41,500 to Republicans. XO Communications gave $32,500 of $63,000 to Democrats. NAB’s PAC gave $584,000 and raised slightly more for Democrats at $294,500 vs. $289,500 for the GOP. CEA has contributed $84,000, with $45,500 of that total going to Democratic candidates.
Google, Microsoft and other Internet and computer companies gave $2.8 million to federal candidates in the 2012 cycle, 56 percent to Republicans, the data showed. The sector’s campaign spending has grown as lawmakers increasingly focus on issues related to copyright protection and cybersecurity. Microsoft leads computer and Internet companies in PAC contributions so far, raising $254,500 of the company’s $468,000 for the GOP. Google contributed $201,750, with $101,750 to Democrats.