Who do you love? Top PAC donors of this election cycle

The doors of the state Capitol were closed to the public on March 16, 2020. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)

Political Action Committee giving to legislative candidates may be down in 2020 compared with the previous election cycle, but that doesn’t mean big money isn’t finding its way into the the campaign coffers and leadership committees of Tennessee lawmakers.

Through campaign finance disclosures running through the start of early voting on July 17, here are the top PAC and business recipients among state lawmakers, candidates, and leadership committees.

1. MCPAC (Randy McNally): $510,380
2. CAM PAC (Cameron Sexton): $385,287
3. HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS: $334,500
4. SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS: $326,250
5. TENNESSEE LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE: $259,292
6. SEXTON, CAMERON: $230,076
7. ROSE, PAUL: $181,184
8. JOHNSON, JACK: $147,950
9. LAMBERTH PAC $138,000
10. KEYPAC (Ken Yager):  $120,600
11. REEVES, SHANE: $117,350
12. LAMBERTH, WILLIAM: $115,750
13. POWERS, BILL: $111,595
14. TILLIS, RICK: $99,577
15. FAISON, JEREMY: $97,750
16. GARDENHIRE, TODD: $93,617
17. SMITH, ROBIN: $90,550
18. HAILE, FERRELL: $88,600
19. LYNN, SUSAN: $86,550
20. GANT, RON: $85,550
21. DICKERSON, STEVEN: $82,150
22. BELL, MIKE: $78,580
23. HICKS, GARY: $77,408
24. YAGER, KEN: $77,065
25. BAILEY, PAUL: $76,100

The PACs and businesses that have given most generously are:

1. TENNESSEE REALTORS PAC: $446,700
2. WINE AND SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF TENNESSEE PAC: $324,100
3. TENNESSEE BANKERS ASSN PAC: $189,250
4. TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: $164,710
5. AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC: $163,000
6. TENNESSEE HIGHWAY CONTRACTORS PAC: $161,500
7. JACK DANIEL’S PAC: $154,000
8. FLEX PAC: $149,500
9. INDEPENDENT MEDICINE’S PAC-TN: $146,250
10. TN ADVANCE FINANCIAL PAC: $146,100
11. BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF TN PAC: $134,600
12. FEDEX CORPORATION PAC: $133,100
13. CAM PAC: $129,817
14. FRIENDS OF THA: $121,250
15. AT&T TENNESSEE PAC: $117,650
16. CORECIVIC INC. PAC: $115,750
17. TENNESSEE HEALTH CARE ASSN PAC: $112,750
18. TENNESSEE REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC. PAC: $105,750
19. TENNESSEE EMPLOYEES ACTION MOVEMENT: $102,400
20. HCA TRISTAR FUND: $101,900