The Nation : PACs’ Political Gifts Soar

Special interests poured a record $61 million into the campaign chests of 795 House candidates through the end of September, a Common Cause study showed. The study showed that House contributions by political action committees--which represent business, labor and other special interests--jumped about 28% from the $47 million given to 802 candidates in the last election cycle. Incumbents got the lion’s share--more than $50 million--the report showed. Challengers got only $5 million and candidates for open seats received $5.5 million from PACs.