Political Action Committee

A political action committee (PAC) is an FEC-registered entity organized to elect political candidates and lobby government. Traditionally, there were two distinct PAC types; separate segregated funds (SSF) that are administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations or trade associations, and nonconnected committees that are not sponsored by entities and are free to solicit contributions from the general public.

As a result of the Citizens United v. FEC decision in January 2010, "SuperPACs" have emerged for the Presidential Election 2012 to allow unlimited spending in support of or opposition to a candidate, as long as the SuperPAC operates completely separate and independent from the candidate. The influence of "SuperPACs" has eclipsed the significance of traditional PACs in elections.

Democratic PACs[edit]

This section lists the top campaign contributions by Democratic PACs and donations to PACs in 2007-2008 as provided by OpenSecrets.org

• Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $2,473,400
• Operating Engineers Union $2,299,672
• American Assn for Justice $2,106,000
• Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union $1,823,800
• Service Employees International Union $1,654,000
• Air Line Pilots Assn $1,582,500
• Plumbers/Pipefitters Union $1,572,975
• United Food & Commercial Workers Union $1,567,853
• Laborers Union $1,564,000
• American Federation of State/County/Municipal Employees $1,558,685
• International Assn of Fire Fighters $1,550,600

Republican PACs[edit]

This section lists the top campaign contributions by Republican PACs and donations to PACs in 2007-2008 as provided by OpenSecrets.org

• AT&T Inc $1,358,950
• American Bankers Assn $1,295,200
• Associated Builders & Contractors $1,218,500
• National Auto Dealers Assn $1,212,500
• National Assn of Realtors $1,150,000
• National Beer Wholesalers Assn $987,500
• United Parcel Service $948,208
• National Assn of Home Builders $854,000
• Credit Union National Assn $812,099
• Every Republican is Crucial PAC $812,000
• Freedom Project $805,398