The Top 10 Presidential Campaign Donors

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been flooding into the 2012 election as the super-wealthy place bets on their favorite horses...

The rise of super-PACs -- which allows for unlimited campaign contributions to "outside groups" -- has allowed even more cash to flow into campaign coffers then previous years. This year is sure to break the record $5.3 billion set in 2008.

This is sure to change after the Obama campaign machine revs up its engine. But in the meantime, here are the top 10 donors that could be identified, from the Center for Responsive Politics and MJ:

1. Sheldon and Miriam Adelson 

With a net worth of more than $21 billion, casino mogul Sheldon is listed by Forbes as the eighth-richest person in America. His recent $5 million donation to the pro-Newt Gingrich super-PAC Winning Our Future has secured his spot as the 2012 election cycle's most generous donor (for now). 

Total giving for 2012 race: $5,224,800

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $5,010,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $214,800

2. Bob and Doylene Perry

Bob is the founder of Perry Homes, one of America's top homebuilders. He's worth a reported $650 million and is a longtime Republican power player. In the 2012 election cycle, the Perrys have given more than any other political donors: $2.5 million to Karl Rove's American Crossroads super-PAC, $500,000 to the pro-Romney super-PAC Restore Our Future, and $250,000 to the Republican Governors Association.

Total giving for 2012 race: $3,337,600

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $3,250,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $87,600

3. Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg

The former head of Walt Disney's film division, Jeffrey is the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, the world's largest animation studio. In the 2012 election cycle, he has given $2 million to the pro-Obama super-PAC Priorities USA Action. As in the last election, Jeffrey is a major bundler for the Obama campaign.

Total giving for 2012 race: $2,173,100

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $2,000,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $173,100

4. Jerry and Margaret Perenchio

Jerry, 80, is the former CEO of the Spanish-language network Univision, which he sold for $13.7 billion in 2007. He is worth a reported $2.3 billion and is one of Malibu's biggest private landowners. In the 2012 election cycle, the Perenchios have dished out $2 million to Rove's American Crossroads. 

Total giving for 2012 race: $2,128,300

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $2,000,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $128,300

5. Robert and Terry Rowling

Reportedly worth $4.7 billion, the 57-year-old Robert owns TRT Holdings, whose assets include the Tana Exploration oil company, a Mexican dollar-store chain, and Gold's Gym. He has given millions of dollars to state and national Republicans over the years

Total giving for 2012 race: $1,101,600

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $1,000,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $101,600

6. Kenneth and Anne Griffin

A hedge fund power couple, Ken and Anne Griffin are, respectively, the founder and CEO of Citadel and the founder and managing partner of Aragon Global Management, one of the nation's largest hedge funds headed by a woman.

In the 2012 election cycle, the couple has given $500,000 to the Republican Governors Association, $300,000 to Rove's American Crossroads, and $150,000 to the Wisconsin Club for Growth.

Total giving for 2012 race: $1,089,000

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $950,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $139,000

7. John and Jenny Paulson

With a net worth of $15.5 billion, John, a phenomenally successful hedge funds manager, is America's 17th-richest man. In the 2012 election cycle, Paulson has given $1 million to the pro-Romney super-PAC Restore Our Future.

Total giving for 2012 race: $1,075,600

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $1,005,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $70,600

8. Paul and Sandra Edgerley 

Since 1990, Paul has served as a managing director of Bain Capital, the private investment firm cofounded by Mitt Romney. Previously, he did consulting and managerial work alongside Romney at Bain & Company. In the 2012 election cycle, the couple has donated $1 million to Restore Our Future.

Total giving for 2012 race: $1,015,000:

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $1,000,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $15,000

9. Edward and Jill Conard 

Edward is a retired managing director at Bain Capital, and Jill is a former comedy writer who previously worked for David Letterman. Edward revealed that he was behind a mysterious $1 million donation, given by a previously unheard-of company called W Spann, to the Romney super-PAC Restore Our Future.

Total giving for 2012 race: $1,005,000:

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $1,000,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $5,000

10. Fred Eychaner 

This reclusive media mogul is a major Democratic fundraiser. A former reporter, he runs the Newsweb Corporation, which publishes alternative and ethnic newspapers. In 2002, he made more than $420 million selling a TV station to Rupert Murdoch.

In the 2012 election cycle, Eychaner has given $500,000 to the pro-Obama super-PAC Priorities USA Action, $100,000 to the House Majority PAC, $100,000 to the Democratic Governors Association, and $50,000 to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. 

Total giving for 2012 race: $791,800:

• Giving to outside-spending groups: $750,000
• Giving to candidates and parties: $41,800

*Stats courtesy of The Center for Responsive Politics and Mother Jones

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