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Wealthy political donors start dropping the cash in post-McCutcheon era

In April, the Supreme Court gutted campaign finance laws in their ruling of McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission removing all donation limits excepting the $5,200 limit on donations to a single candidate.

By Aileen Graef

WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Wealthy political donors, including David Koch and Donald Trump, have taken advantage of the removal of campaign finance limits by increasing donations.

Leading the political wallets is Democratic donor and entrepreneur Frank Islam who has donated $183,900 to candidates and super PACs since the McCutcheon decision, compared to the $119,100 he did before the ruling, according to the Federal Election Commission. Islam is the only one on the list who passed the $74,600 limit. He is also one of only six Democrats on the top donor list.

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Business tycoon David Koch of Koch Industries is second on the list. Before the ruling, he spent $74,400, and since the Supreme Court ruling he has spent $139,200. Donald Trump jumped from $64,800 to $97,200.

This trend is feeding the fears of those who slammed the ruling, saying that increased money in politics would lead to corruption and politicians answering to donors rather than their constituents. Both parties are expected to take advantage of the ruling and the increased donations as they rally to raise cash for the 2014 midterms in November.

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