Do campaign contributions affect how voters feel about candidates?
Incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz faces off against Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke for their second and final debate Tuesday night in San Antonio.
One of the topics that could come up is campaign contributions for both candidates. O’Rourke has touted the fact that he is not taking any money from political action committees (PACs). Cruz, however, has criticized O’Rourke for receiving support from celebrities.
ABC-7 looked into available data that was released from the Federal Election Commission for both candidates.
Cruz’s top contributors from Jan. 1, 2017 – to Oct. 1, 2018 are:
Ted Cruz Victory Committee: $5,495,794 Senate Conservatives Fund: $391,096 Club for Growth PAC: $208,827 Reignite: $287,747 NORPAC: $104,818
In that same time span, Cruz has received contributions from PACs associated with companies like: Valero Energy, Microsoft, AT&T, Phillips 66, Exxon Mobile, Haliburton, Delta Airlines, Comcast, T-Mobile, and Toyota.
As for O’Rourke, he’s received contributions from several celebrities.
Zach Braff: $8,100 Tate Donovan: $5,400 Chelsea Handler: $2,500 Jimmy Kimmel: $2,700 Ethan Hawke: $2,700 Sarah Jessica Parker: $2,700 Susan Sarandon: $2,500 Barbara Streisand: $1,250 Shonda Rhimes: $1,500
UTEP Political Science professor Richard Pineda said he doesn’t believe campaign contributions, and where they come from, will ultimately have much of an impact on voters.
“I think that the reason that contributions do have an impact on a race is because they become talking points for the opponents,” Pineda said. “I think it’s a point that reaffirms your base and their belief system. I don’t necessarily know that it’s a tipping point.”
Tashika Russell tells ABC-7 she worries about candidates taking money from PACs.
“You don’t know what their agenda is or where the money is coming from,” Russell said. “I kind of lean toward a candidate where it’s like the normal people like me.”
Bryan Otherson said he sees things differently.
“Honestly, as far as how they get their money, I would say Ted Cruz. I would actually side with him on that. It’s from a corporation, it’s not just one person trying to make a scene,” Otherson said.
The debate will be livestreamed on KVIA.com at 7 p.m. MST.
