Michael Toner Comments on Billionaires Sending Money to Super PACs

Michael Toner, co-chair of the Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, was interviewed by Financial Times on the flood of money billionaires are sending to super PACs backing candidates in the Republican primary nomination battle.

While individuals are limited to contributing $2,500 to a candidate’s campaign per election, there are no restrictions on the donations that can be given to super PACs, which are barred from directly coordinating with candidates.

The article reports that a Las Vegas casino magnate gave $5 million to one super PAC while another billionaire intends to give more than $1 million to a rival super PAC.

Mr. Toner, the former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, said that the public will have to become accustomed to the involvement of super PACs. “These super PACs are becoming institutionalized and they are here to stay,” said Mr. Toner.  “I shudder to think how many super PACs ads we will be seeing on our TV in September and October.”