HUFFPOST FUNDRACE -- Secret Koch Contributions

By Paul Blumenthal

After reports from the Center for Responsive Politics and Republic Report looked into the $55 million in secret money given by the Center to Protect Patients' Rights to conservative non-profis in the 2010 election the LA Times picked up the story over the weekend: "The financial firepower that fueled the rise of a network of conservative advocacy groups now pummelingDemocrats with television ads can be traced, in part, to Box 72465 in the Boulder Hills post office, on a desert road on the northern outskirts of Phoenix. That's the address for the Center to Protect Patient Rights, an organization with ties to Charles and David H. Koch, the billionaire brothers who bankroll a number of conservative organizations. During the 2010 midterm election, the center sent more than $55 million to 26 GOP-allied groups, tax filings show, funding opaque outfits such as American Future Fund, 60 Plus and Americans for Job Security that were behind a coordinated campaign against Democratic congressional candidates. ...The Kochs have several ties to the center. It is run by Sean Noble, a Phoenix-based GOP consultant who is a key operative in the Kochs' political activities, as first noted by the investigative blog Republic Report. One of the center's original directors, Heather Higgins, is chairwoman of the Independent Women's Forum, which has received funding from a Koch-controlled foundation. And Cheryl Hillen, a Connecticut-based consultant who raised $2.6 million for the center, was director of fundraising for the Koch-backed Citizens for a Sound Economy."

The New York Times editorializes about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's reaction to a court ruling that would require them to disclose donors if they followed the same pattern of spending as in previous year, "The only good news is that the chamber's highly partisan loyalties will now be fully exposed. It has always claimed that it is not a Republican or Democratic group, but simply one that supports the interests of American business. But the $33 million it spent in the 2010 elections on issue ads was almost entirely in support of Republicans and against Democrats, as will be the estimated $50 million it may spend this year. When the chamber is overtly advocating the election of Republicans — rather than hiding behind phony issue ads — it will be impossible to deny that it has become a very well-financed arm of the party. And companies that contribute to the chamber will be unable to claim that they are paying dues to an independent business league."

The Supreme Court will consider Citizens United II on June 14, according to SCOTUSBlog.

The Republican Senate primary in Texas has been inundated with super PAC money. Both outside conservative groups and Texas-based groups have gotten into the act to make the race the priciest super PAC race so far this election cycle, iWatchNews reports.

Patch finds a big number of campaign donors hail from Greenwich, Connecticut.

Rolling Stone's Tim Dickinson profiles some of the biggest donors to the pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future.

The people of Iowa were the first to be inundated by super PACs in the run-up to the presidential caucuses. That flood never stopped and they're getting pretty sick of.

Mitt Romney is meeting with casino billionaire and free-wheeling super PAC donor Sheldon Adelson.

New disclosure rules for political advertisements could be delayed for months, according to ProPublica's Justin Elliott.

Sen. Mark Kirk's ex-wife filed an FEC complaint against his campaign claiming that he paid an ex-girlfriend with campaign funds.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is putting up $100,000 to defeat Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in the upcoming recall election.

AD WATCH

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Committee: Mitt Romney
Candidate Opposed: Barack Obama
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Committee: American Crossroads
Candidate Opposed: Barack Obama
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Candidate Opposed: Mitt Romney
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Committee: Patriot Majority USA
Candidate Opposed: Dean Heller
Spot: "Before"
Market: Nevada.
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Committee: Shelley Berkley for Senate
Spot: "Waiter"
Market: Nevada.
Buy: Undisclosed.

Committee: Scott Brown for Senate
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Committee: David Dewhurst for Senate
Featured: Mike Huckabee
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Market: Texas.
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Committee: National Republican Congressional Committee
Candidate Opposed: Ron Barber
Spot: "Cap And Trade"
Market: Arizona's 8th District.
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Committee: Ron Barber for Congress
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Committee: Scott Walker for Governor
Candidate Opposed: Tom Barrett
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TRACKING INDEPENDENT SPENDING:

These numbers represent spending by independent groups, like super PACs and non-profits, to support or oppose a particular candidate in 2012. Fundrace will update this spending daily to help show which candidates are gaining from the proliferation of independent groups in this coming election.

Presidential Race:
Mitt Romney (R), $7,327,516 to support, $12,382,717 to oppose.
Barack Obama (D), $491,730 to support, $1,441,127 to oppose. (Oppose: +$150,029)

Most Outside Spending for Congressional Candidates:
TX-Senate: Ted Cruz (R), $826,616 to support, $2,301,841 to oppose
TX-Senate: David Dewhurst (R), $363,000 to support, $2,481,715 to oppose.
IN-Senate: Richard Mourdock (R), $1,423,990 to support, $633,609 to oppose.
IN-Senate: Dick Lugar (R), $208,628 to support, $1,671,841 to oppose.
OR-01: Rob Cornilles (R), $98,051 to support, $1,219,148 to oppose.

RECENT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Dan Lungren for Congress in California's 7th District.
Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Jeff Denham for Congress in California's 10th District.
Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Mary Bono Mack for Congress in California's 36th District.
Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Dan Lungren for Congress in California's 7th District.
Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Gary Miller for Congress in California's 31st District.
Democratic State Central Committee of California, $1,400 to oppose Brian Bilbray for Congress in California's 52nd District.
Majority PAC, $107,033 to oppose Josh Mandel for Senate in Ohio.
House Majority PAC, $21,931 to oppose Linda Parks for Congress in California's 26th District.
House Majority PAC, $65,924 to oppose Jesse Kelly for Congress in Arizona's 8th District.
Restore America's Voice, $20,000 to oppose Barack Obama for President.
Spirit of Democracy America, $17,675 to support Paul Cook for Congress in California's 8th District.
Restoring Our Community, $2,875 to support Pete Aguilar for Congress in California's 31st District.
American Action Network, $12,804 to support Jesse Kelly for Congress in Arizona's 8th District.
American Crossroads, $33,084 to oppose Ron Barber for Congress in Arizona's 8th District.
Restore America's Voice, $41,178 to oppose Barack Obama for President.
Club for Growth Action, $100,057 to oppose David Dewhurst for Senate in Texas.
Progressive Kick Independent Expenditures, $25,000 to support Eric Griego for Congress in New Mexico's 1st District.
American Crossroads, $33,084 to oppose Ron Barber for Congress in Arizona's 8th District.
American Action Network, $12,243 to support Jesse Kelly for Congress in Arizona's 8th District.
Restore America's Voice, $21,000 to oppose Barack Obama for President.
Campaign for Primary Accountability, $5,000 to oppose Charlie Rangel for Congress in New York's 15th District.
Campaign for Primary Accountability, $1,500 to oppose Ralph Hall for Congress in Texas' 4th District.
Restore America's Voice, $66,105 to oppose Barack Obama for President.
Campaign for Primary Accountability, $45,000 to oppose Silvestre Reyesl for Congress in Texas' 16th District.
Campaign to Defeat Barack Obama, $1,746 to oppose Barack Obama for President.
Spirit of Democracy America, $17,137 to support Paul Cook for Congress in California's 8th District.
Women Vote!, $18,915 to support Julia Brownley for Congress in California's 26th District.
Women Vote!, $10,314 to support Michelle Lujan Grisham for Congress in New Mexico's 1st District.

RECENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REGISTRATIONS

NONE.

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