Microsoft pumping cash into campaign coffers
Aug 27, 2012, 8:02 AM | Updated: 12:01 pm
Microsoft and its employees have donated over $87,000 to former vice president Suzan DelBene as of Aug. 6. (AP image)
(AP image)
Microsoft continues to be a major political player with the company’s workers already spending more than they did in the entire 2008 cycle.
Microsoft and its employees contributed $2.5 million as of Aug. 6, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal, with 69 percent of contributions going to Democrats.
The biggest donations included $87,800 to former Microsoft vice president Suzan DelBene, running for Congress, and $65,000 to incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington. The company also kicked in $32,5000 to Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Washington.
Microsoft’s separate political action committee spent $1.8 million as of Aug. 6, with the employee group favoring Republican candidates.
The PSBJ reports the group contributed $325,500 to Republican PACs and $236,500 to Democratic PACs. The PAC has directly contributed $290,000 to Republican candidates and $236,000 to Democrats.
The numbers, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, reveal CEO Steve Ballmer was the biggest donor, contributed $10,000 total to various candidates and groups along with his wife Connie. But the majority of donations were less than $500.
