Another mysterious donor to the super PAC backing Mitt Romney was uncovered yesterday. The Romney super PAC has routinely received contributions from unknown or untraceable donors, far more often than any other super PAC. The AP reports on this instance and the growing trend: "A once-mysterious $400,000 check written to a "super" political action committee supporting Mitt Romney's presidential campaign rekindled a nagging question this election season: Just how much disclosure is enough to satisfy transparency? ...Inquiries about the donation intensified over the weekend after a Florida man who owned a similarly named company in Palm Beach told news organizations he never donated to the pro-Romney group. It turned out that Restore Our Future listed the wrong address for the actual SeaSpray donor. The super PAC at first declined to disclose more about the mystery donors, but as the controversy grew, the committee on Monday acknowledged the Florida couple's role. Restore amended its federal filings Tuesday, naming the Florida couple as the two donors. Welcome to the reality of recent federal rulings that have changed rules on how federal elections are financed."
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to exponentially expand their political spending in the 2012 cycle, according to a profile of the century-old group by Roll Call. The Chamber spent $33 million on the 2010 elections, more than any other independent group.
A new Brennan Center poll finds a large majority of people say that super PAC spending makes them less likely to vote in the coming elections.
Conservative outside groups, empowered by the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, have spent $17 million so far in Senate races across the country. The New York Times reports, "Their plans call for an effort that will exceed $100 million by Election Day."
American Crossroads announced a new $2.9 million television campaign in Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Florida, and Virginia. The North Dakota ad buy stands out as that race has not seen any investment by conservative outside groups.
Coming as little surprise, Barack Obama raised the most money in March from lawyers and Mitt Romney raised the most money from the financial sector, reports the Center for Responsive Politics.
MoJo's Andy Kroll reports on Obama's fundraising with Warren Buffett.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is reserving ad time in his state. HuffPost's Sam Stein, "McDonnell is term-limited and cannot run for governor again. His decision to take out an ad at this juncture suggests he is either worried about his current standing in the state, is gearing up for a potential vice presidential run alongside likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, or both."
Another mini-super PAC pops up, this time in the Republican primary race in Kentucky's 4th congressional district.
The pro-Obama Priorities USA Action super PAC is teaming up with the League of Conservation Voters for an ad buy.
Another article how the John Edwards trial could scramble campaign finance laws yet again.
AD WATCH
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Committee: American Future Fund
Candidate Opposed: Barack Obama
Spot: "GSA"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Tom Barrett for Governor
Candidate Opposed: Scott Walker
Spot: "Launches"
Market: Wisconsin.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Scott Walker for Governor
Candidate Opposed: Kathleen Falk
Spot: "The Facts on Falk"
Market: Wisconsin.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Heather Wilson for Senate
Spot: "Heather Wilson: Our Story"
Market: New Mexico.
Buy: Undisclosed.
TRACKING INDEPENDENT SPENDING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE:
These numbers represent spending by independent groups, like super PACs and non-profits, to support or oppose a particular candidate for the presidency 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.
Newt Gingrich (R), $13,017,772 to support, $18,885,161 to oppose.
Rick Santorum (R), $7,548,235 to support, $20,923,379 to oppose.
Mitt Romney (R), $3,317,306 to support, $7,630,170 to oppose. (+$7,623)
Rick Perry (R), $4,167,697 to support, $1,404 to oppose.
Ron Paul (R), $3,748,218 to support, $214,158 to oppose.
Jon Huntsman (R), $2,453,204 to support, $0 to oppose.
Barack Obama (D), $298,856 to support, $1,017,343 to oppose.
Herman Cain (R), $501,717 to support, $954 to oppose.
Gary Johnson (R), $518 to support, $0 to oppose.
RECENT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES
National Rifle Association of America Political Victory Fund, $4,542 to support Orrin Hatch for Senate in Utah.
FreedomWorks for America, $7,747 to oppose Bob Casey for Senate in Pennsylvania.
American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC $31,395 to support John McGoff for Congress in Indiana's 5th District.
NARAL Pro-Choice America, $7,623 to oppose Mitt Romney for President.
League of Conservation Voters, $17,978 to support Jon Tester for Senate in Montana.
RECENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REGISTRATIONS
NONE.
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