Business-Labor-Ideology Split in PAC & Individual Donations to Candidates, Parties, Super PACs and Outside Spending Groups

The broadest classification of political donors separates them into business, labor, or ideological interests. Whatever slice you look at, business interests dominate, with an overall advantage over organized labor of about 16-to-1. Even among PACs — the favored means of delivering funds by labor unions — business has a close to 7-to-1 fundraising advantage.

An important caveat must be added to these figures: "business" contributions from individuals are based on the donor's occupation/employer. Since nearly everyone works for someone, and since union affiliation is not listed on FEC reports, totals for business are somewhat overstated, while labor is understated. Still, the base of large individual donors is predominantly made up of business executives and professionals.

All Contributions, 2019-2020

Interest Grand Total To Democrats To Republicans Lean
Business $5,929,960,135 $2,482,179,312 $1,864,079,250 On the fence
Labor $243,890,312 $70,271,209 $9,563,191 Solidly Democrat/Liberal
Ideological $1,362,650,241 $506,659,284 $248,285,715 Leans Democrat/Liberal
Other $2,403,104,261 $1,065,420,767 $1,055,539,812 On the fence
Solidly Democrat/Liberal Solidly Republican/Conservative Leans Democrat/Liberal Leans Republican/Conservative On the fence

Contributions from Political Action Committees (PACs), 2019-2020

Interest Total To Democrats To Republicans Lean
Business $379,261,486 $163,200,023 $215,865,413 On the fence
Labor $71,747,626 $62,682,176 $8,849,450 Solidly Democrat/Liberal
Ideological $137,524,690 $66,698,685 $70,137,011 On the fence
Other $1,446,633 $754,833 $690,800 On the fence
Solidly Democrat/Liberal Solidly Republican/Conservative Leans Democrat/Liberal Leans Republican/Conservative On the fence

Contributions from Individuals, 2019-2020

Interest Total To Democrats To Republicans Lean
Business $3,999,295,973 $2,313,749,133 $1,646,731,637 On the fence
Labor $8,095,458 $7,280,066 $713,741 Solidly Democrat/Liberal
Ideological $628,462,196 $439,917,299 $178,148,704 Leans Democrat/Liberal
Other $2,139,552,255 $1,063,279,199 $1,054,766,762 On the fence
Solidly Democrat/Liberal Solidly Republican/Conservative Leans Democrat/Liberal Leans Republican/Conservative On the fence

Based on data released by the FEC on 10/18/2023, and includes PAC and individual contributions to candidates and parties. Figures also include individual, corporate and union contributions to super PACs and outside spending groups. Contributions for which no category was identified are not included here.

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