The year of the super PAC

Three ultra-rich men have the power to prolong the GOP presidential primary, Politico noted Thursday.

One is the father of Jon Huntsman Jr., a billionaire capable of pouring millions into his son’s campaign.

Sheldon Adelson

The other two already are channeling money through super PACs. Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson has given $5 million to Winning Our Future, a group boosting Newt Gingrich.

Foster Friess, a conservative investor from Wyoming, confirmed to Politico that he has contributed to the recently formed Red White and Blue Fund, which is supporting Rick Santorum.

As our map above shows, every campaign has at least one major super PAC supporting it. The outside committees are attracting wealthy donors because they have no limits on donation size. The most that an individual can give directly to a campaign is $2,500 per election.

Check the Center for Responsive Politics for a running tally of each super PAC’s donations and expenditures.

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