The 20 Most Influential Billionaires Behind The Scenes Of US Politics

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20. Alice Walton

20. Alice Walton

Alice Walton, one of the Wal-Mart fortune heirs, is an early backer of Hillary Clinton's "Ready for Hillary" super-PAC.

Source: Brookings Institute

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19. Donald Trump

19. Donald Trump

Mutli-media master Donald Trump routinely comments on numerous political issues, and has succeeded in amassing a large following of conservatives.

Source: Brookings Institute

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18. Marc Andreessen

18. Marc Andreessen

Marc Andreessen backed GOP presidential candidate Romney in 2012. He's interested in the future of journalism — and in particular, the swift transition from traditional media to digital.

Source: Brookings Institute

17. Peter G. Peterson

17. Peter G. Peterson

Peterson argues for the reduction of government debt, and with his foundation has funded organizations such as Fix the Debt and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Source: Brookings Institute

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16. Paul Singer

16. Paul Singer

Paul Singer — a conservative Republic — has been a support of same-sex marriage and has a political action committee American Unity that contributed $2 million in support to GOP legislators who also are in support of same-sex marriage.

Source: Brookings Institute

15. Art Pope

15. Art Pope

Until recently, Art Pope was North Carolina's state budget director, and has been influential in the resurgence of the GOP in the state.

Source: Brookings Institute

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14. Pierre and Pamela Omidyar

14. Pierre and Pamela Omidyar

14. The Omidyars criticized U.S. surveillance, and their foundation works on government transparency, property rights, and economic development.

Source: Brookings Institute

13. Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos

13. Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos

Jeff Bezos recently purchases the Washington Post, and have supported $2.5 million to the Washington state referendum in support of same-sex marriage.

Source: Brookings Institute

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12. Mark Zuckerberg

12. Mark Zuckerberg

Zuckerberg works on immigration reform with the FWD.us organization, and has pushed for school reform in Newark, New Jersey.

Source: Brookings Institute

11. Peter Thiel

11. Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel contributed $2.6 million to the super-PAC for Ron Paul in 2012, and he recently expressed support for increased minimum wage.

Source: Brookings Institute

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10. Warren Buffett

10. Warren Buffett

Buffett has been a strong Obama supporter, and advocates higher taxes on wealthy individuals.

Source: Brookings Institute

9. Penny Pritzker

9. Penny Pritzker

Pritzker is an Obama supporter and served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in his administration.

Source: Brookings Institute

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8. John and Laura Arnold

8. John and Laura Arnold

The Arnolds have contributed millions to state law makers in order to shift costs to employees and reduce pension benefits.

Source: Brookings Institute

7. Bill and Melinda Gates

7. Bill and Melinda Gates

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been extremely influential in education reform, and contributed $100,000 to support same-sex marriage in a Washington state referendum.

Source: Brookings Institute

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6. Rupert Murdoch

6. Rupert Murdoch

Murdoch owns both the Wall Street Journal and Fox News — two major news organizations. Plus, he works with Bloomberg on immigration reform.

Source: Brookings Institute

5. George Soros

5. George Soros

Soros gave $1 million to Obama in 2012, and signed up as the co-finance chair of the "Ready for Hillary" super PAC.

Source: Brookings Institute

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4. Sheldon Adelson

4. Sheldon Adelson

Adelson spent a whopping $93 million "seeking to defeat President Barack Obama in 2012", and promised to spend two times that much next election.

Source: Brookings Institute

3. Tom Steyer

3. Tom Steyer

Steyer is interested in climate change and works extensively to raise public awareness.

Source: Brookings Institute

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2. Michael Bloomberg

2. Michael Bloomberg

Bloomberg is donating $50 million against the NRA with his super-PAC Independence USA. He also has the nonprofit organizations Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Partnership for a New American Economy.

Source: Brookings Institute

1. Charles and David Koch

1. Charles and David Koch

The Koch brothers have contributed $30 million in "campaign ads targeting vulnerable Senate Democrats in a number of states" and that number "is expected to rise to $290 million by Election Day." Plus, they are running ads against Obama's health care.

Source: Brookings Institute

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And if you haven't gotten enough about billionaires yet...

And if you haven't gotten enough about billionaires yet...

Check out these Mindblowing Facts About Warren Buffett And His Incredible Wealth »