TELECOM PLAYERS LED BY AT&T RANK AMONG TOP CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS

摘要

AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, the NCTA and the Communications Workers of America were among the top 200 spenders in the 2007-08 campaign cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The group named AT&T the biggest "heavy hitter" over the past decade with nearly $44 million in contributions. The carrier's donations were split about equally between the parties in the 2008 campaign. In previous campaigns, AT&T had supported more Republicans than Democrats, the center's study shows. The Communications Workers of America was the 13th-largest contributor at $27 million over the 10 years, nearly all to Democrats. The study pooled federal and state contribution data during the 2008 election cycle and came up with rankings for the combined contributions. On that scale, AT&T ranked No. 18 with $14.5 million total, $5.4 million to federal campaigns and $9 million to states. Most communications firms divided spending nearly evenly between federal and state campaigns. Comcast ranked No. 50 on the list with $6.4 million in spending divided equally between federal and state campaigns. Verizon was No. 62 with $5.4 million in contributions, also divided evenly. The CWA spent $4.6 million, also equally divided