Ted Cruz
$89.3M raised (Out)
Republican, U.S. Senator - Texas
Cruz's fundraising roster isn't as deep and varied as Clinton's or Bush's, but from the handful of big donors he's won, the Texas senator has received overwhelming donations that far exceed any other early campaign contributions.
In 2016, Texas is where the money's at
Sheldon Adelson
Sheldon Adelson
- Casino magnate
- Top issues
- Support for Israel
- Banning online gambling
- Lower taxes
The smart money says the casino billionaire will support Rubio, but Cruz is in consideration as well. In 2012, Adelson and his wife Miriam spent $93 million, making them the cycle's biggest donors.
Bob McNair
Bob McNair
- Businessman
- $500,000 donated to Ted Cruz this cycle
- Top issues
- Deregulating electric energy
- Tort reform
- Opposing LGBT causes
The Houston Texans owner is a veteran of the Republican fundraising circuit. McNair has been especially generous in this cycle, giving to Bush, Cruz, Graham and Walker.
Robert Mercer
Robert Mercer
- Hedge fund manager
- $11 million donated to Ted Cruz this cycle
- Top issues
- Deregulating Wall Street
Mercer dropped $11 million into Cruz's coffers early on. Through fall 2015, no other candidate had received even half that much from a single donor.
Toby Neugebauer
Toby Neugebauer
- Energy investor
- $10 million donated to Ted Cruz this cycle
- Top issues
- Deregulating oil & gas
Neugebauer helped engineer Cruz’s 2016 money machine and court other donors, telling The Washington Post early donations created a rallying effect. “People realized, ‘This isn’t Michele Bachmann,’” he said. Neugebauer has known Cruz for years, and the two have a personal friendship.