ST. PAUL, MN — Political action committees have collected tens of millions of dollars so far this year as Minnesota heads toward the Nov. 3 general election, and a handful of national groups and wealthy donors are supplying much of the cash.
That's according to public Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board data.
The 10 PACs below received the most money in itemized contributions between Jan. 1 and Sept. 15, the end of the most recent reporting period for PACs.
Much of that money is already being spent. PACs and other committees reported nearly $22 million in independent expenditures over the same stretch, money spent on ads, mailers and other messaging for or against candidates without coordinating with their campaigns.
The governor's race has drawn the most. Outside groups have spent about $4.4 million supporting Republican Lisa Demuth's campaign and $1.3 million opposing it, plus more than $2.7 million opposing DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar.
The attorney general's race is close behind, with nearly $3.9 million spent opposing DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison and $1.8 million opposing his Republican challenger, Ron Schutz.
Several state Senate races have also drawn six-figure spending, led by more than $800,000 spent opposing DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild.
Money also moves from one PAC to another, so some dollars show up more than once. For example, We All Do Better PAC received $2.65 million from DAGA People's Lawyer Project MN, and Alliance for a Better Minnesota State PAC received $3.15 million from We All Do Better PAC.
The next round of reports, covering activity through Oct. 19, is due Oct. 26.
Here are the PACs that raised the most money in Minnesota this year, along with their biggest donors and where they've spent it:
1. Restore Sanity: $14.1 million
Nearly all of the money, $13.1 million, came from Restoration of America PAC.
Other donors include Running Aces ($500,000), the Republican State Leadership Committee ($200,000) and individual donors Richard Uihlein and Kenneth Nelson ($100,000 each). The group has reported $7.1 million in independent spending, including $4.4 million supporting Demuth (R) and $2.7 million opposing Klobuchar (DFL).
2. DGA Victory Fund: $11 million
The fund reported nearly 600 itemized contributions. The largest came from Deborah Simon and Reid Hoffman ($1 million each) and Lisa Mennet ($750,000).
3. Renew Minnesota: $6.5 million
GOPAC Election Fund gave $4.88 million, and the Minnesota Private Business Council gave $1.33 million. The group has spent $1.6 million on state Senate races, mostly opposing DFL candidates including Hauschild, Sen. Aric Putnam, Kristy Janigo and Sen. Rob Kupec.
4. We All Do Better PAC: $5.4 million
Top donors include DAGA People's Lawyer Project MN ($2.65 million), AFSCME Working Families Fund ($550,000) and WIN Minnesota ($450,000).
5. The PAC for Minnesota's Future: $4.5 million
More than $4 million came from a single donor, Sarah O'Neill. Gideon Friedman gave $250,000.
6. Alliance for a Better Minnesota State PAC: $3.7 million
We All Do Better PAC gave $3.15 million. The rest, about $547,000, came from Alliance for a Better Minnesota. The group has reported $3.1 million in independent spending, including $1.8 million opposing Schutz (R) and $1.3 million opposing Demuth (R).
7. Pro Jobs Majority: $3.2 million
Nearly all of it, $3.09 million, came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association gave $100,000. The group has spent $1.6 million on state Senate races, including opposing Kupec (DFL) and Putnam (DFL) and supporting Republicans Brady Hoag, Sen. Michael Kreun and Sen. Karin Housley.
8. DAGA People's Lawyer Project MN: $2.8 million
The Democratic Attorneys General Association gave $2.5 million, and AFSCME Working Families Fund gave $275,000.
9. Advance Minnesota Independent Expenditure Committee: $2.5 million
Top donors include the Republican State Leadership Committee ($1.08 million), GOPAC ($835,000) and Pro Jobs Majority ($500,000). The group has spent $2 million opposing 10 state Senate candidates, led by $481,000 against Hauschild (DFL).
10. Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota Political Fund: $2.3 million
All of the money came from the Laborers' District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Saint Paul Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.