Defense Industry Invests Heavily in Midterm Elections, Boosting Campaign Coffers of Congressional Heavyweights

Strategic Insights -

Democratic primary for a Pennsylvania Senate seat has drawn significant attention from employees of military contractors, who are closely watching the campaign of Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) being challenged by Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), a former three-star Navy admiral. Sestak has garnered $113,850 from the defense sector as of the end of 2009, surpassing Specter's $96,750 and overshadowing Republican challenger Pat Toomey's $250 in defense donations. The defense industry's investments in the midterm elections are expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of several high-stakes races, with several senators on defense panels facing tough reelection bids.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) raised $96,750 from the defense sector as of the end of 2009, while challenger Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) garnered $113,850.
  • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) received $133,050 from the defense sector at the end of last year, making him the top recipient from the industry among all senators.
  • Senate Defense subcommittee member Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) raised $46,300 from the defense sector, while his potential challenger, former Republican senator Dan Coats, had only $0 defense donations cited.
  • Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) raised $84,850 from the defense sector, while his potential Democratic challenger, Kenneth Lewis, had only $500 in industry funding.
  • House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) raised $158,600 from the defense sector, with none of his potential Republican opponents reporting defense industry donations.
  • Sizable donations from the defense sector in the open Senate seats include $24,300 to Republican Roy Blunt in Missouri, $39,650 for Republican Mark Kirk in Illinois, and $61,200 for Democrat Kendrick Meek in Florida.
  • Defense industry investments are expected to impact the outcome of several high-stakes races, with several senators on defense panels facing tough reelection bids.

Statistics:

  • As of the end of 2009, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) raised a total of $13.87 million, while Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) had raised $2.36 million.
  • Sen. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) received 35% of the vote to face off with Republican Pat Toomey in a Rasmussen survey.
  • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had raised $14.98 million from all donors, with $133,050 from the defense sector.
  • Rasmussen found Reid with "troublesome" numbers, earning only 39% to 41% of the vote to any of his four GOP challengers at the time.
  • Senate Defense subcommittee member Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) raised $8.91 million, with $46,300 from the defense sector.
  • Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) raised $84,850 from the defense sector, while Kenneth Lewis had only $500 in industry funding.

Sources:

  • The Washington Examiner
  • Center for Responsive Politics (CRP)
  • Rasmussen Reports
  • Cook Political Report
  • The Rothenberg Political Report
  • Taxpayers for Common Sense