Major donors to super PACs in the 2012 election

This graph shows the major donors to the so-called super PACs in the 2012 election. Unlike candidates, who can raise a maximum of 2,500 U.S. dollars per person for each election, super PACs are independent from candidates and can raise unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations and labor unions, and spend unlimited amounts to support or oppose a candidate. Depicted are only individuals or corporations who gave 1 million U.S. dollars or more. Thus, not all super PACs playing a role in the election are depicted here. Beside the name of the donor, the receiving super PAC is given in brackets. For additional information regarding the donor, hover the cursor over the respective bar in the graph. Sheldon and Miriam Adelson are now the biggest donors, having donated 20 million U.S. dollars to the super PAC endorsing Newt Gingrich, Winning Our Future.