Very interesting post today from Ars Technica, which points out that the Open Secrets database on political contributions shows that AT&T (T) was the largest single donor to political races over the last 20 years, handing out $45,461,879 to political candidates over that span. The post notes that AT&T is well ahead of the next two largest corporate donors, the National Association of Realtors at $36.7 million and Goldman Sachs (GS) at $32.7 million. (Actually, the full list includes two other entities close behind AT&T: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, at $42.9 million, and a Democratic funding raising group called ActBlue.
Among this November’s candidates, the biggest contribution from AT&T – $30,000 – went to Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader. Next on the list: $22,000 for Florida independent Charlie Crist. Another 11 candidates received $11,000 to $11,500 apiece, including 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats.
The story also notes that the company has spent about $100 million on lobbying since 2005.
Among the top 50 institutional donors to political campaigns were just a handful of tech and telecom companies, including Microsoft (MSFT), which donated just under $21 million, Time Warner (TWC) at $20 million and Verizon (VZ) at $19.3 million.
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