Politicians Rushing for Fraternity and Sorority PAC Money

Reprint of an Article from OpenSecrets.org
By: Zachary Newkirk

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/05/politicians-rushing-for-fraternity-and-sorority-pac-money.html 

Being a member of a collegiate Greek letter society may literally pay off if you run for political office.

 Of late, the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee has become a financial force for candidates who “champion Greek issues.” During the past three election cycles, the Fraternity and Sorority PAC has raised more than $1 million and donated $611,000 to candidates running for federal political offices, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politics.

 The vast majority of recipients of this money were members of Greek letter organizations during their collegiate years. But their experiences in fraternity houses and sororities have not turned them into to ideological clones. These beneficiaries display political views that vary from Alpha to Omega.

 During the 2010 cycle, for example, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), a member of the Tea Party Caucus, received a $5,000 contribution from the Fraternity and Sorority PAC. Meanwhile, the group also gave $1,500 to Rep. Lynne Woolsey (D-Calif.), former co-chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

 Overall, about 59 percent—or $362,000—of the PAC’s total contributions since the 2006 election cycle have gone to Republican candidates for federal political office.

 But the actual split between Republican and Democratic beneficiaries can swing from cycle-to-cycle (see chart).

 During the 2006 election cycle, for instance, 74 percent of the money the PAC doled out aided Republicans. That figure was split 51-49 during the 2008 election cycle, with Democrats holding the slight advantage. And during the 2010 election cycle, 55 percent of contributions went to Republican political candidates.