Political action committees spend $10M on elections
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Registry of Election Finance reports show political action committees spent more than $10 million to influence elections of candidates for office last year.
The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1Bq28A0) cited the data in reporting that direct donations had decreased from the last election year in 2012 and “independent expenditures” increased.
Combined spending, which includes direct donations and independent efforts, was nearly equal in 2012 and 2014.
The 2012 total of $10,189,255 set a record. The total last year was $10,118,043, a difference of about $70,000.
In general, spending by PACs has increased each election year since officials began keeping records in 1996.
The PAC set up by the Tennessee Education Association spent the most in direct contributions to candidates while the Tennessee Forum had the most independent expenditures.
