On his way to leading all Republicans in fundraising for the first quarter of 2007, Mitt Romney tapped former colleagues and peers in the buyout business for more than $250,000.
In so doing, Romney led all presidential hopefuls in raising money from private equity pooh-bahs, according to data from the Federal Election Commission. The $257,525 or more raised by the
The numbers from the FEC most likely exclude contributions made by donors from smaller buyout firms and by donors who did not list their places of employment. Still, even if incomplete, the numbers paint a clear picture that Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, is the distinct front-runner among private equity professionals donating money to campaigns. His onetime colleagues at Boston-based Bain Capital lined up by the dozen to write $2,300 checks, the federal maximum contribution for a primary campaign. A long list of partners at
Romney counts several high-wattage backers as members of his camp, including
But that’s not to say Romney lured all the marquee names in the buyout business.
Sitting a couple rungs down from Obama is Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who deposited at least $47,900 in checks from private equity leaders in the first quarter, followed by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, who took in at least $47,900, and McCain, who received at least $41,500, according to the FEC. Rounding out the list are Dodd., with $14,600; former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, with $9,900; and former vice presidential contender John Edwards, a Democrat, with $7,400.
Most donors have left room to re-up following the primary—assuming their candidates make it through—where federal elections rules allow another $2,300 donation.—J.H.