Billionaires Pour $700 Million Into Midterms—Who’s Writing the Biggest Checks?

The top 10 billionaire donors have already poured more than $700 million combined into this year’s midterm elections. That figure, which covers spending through the latest filing period, shows how a small group of ultra-wealthy individuals is shaping races across the country. These donors are writing checks to super PACs and other political groups that run ads, fund get-out-the-vote efforts, and support specific candidates. While campaign finance laws limit direct contributions to candidates, billionaires can give unlimited amounts to independent groups. The spending is not evenly split. Some donors back Republican candidates, while others support Democrats. But the total amount—already a record for this stage of an election cycle—signals that money will play an outsized role in determining which party controls Congress after November. Here is a look at the biggest billionaire donors so far, based on public filings.