Infographic: A look at where Duke Energy spends its political dollars
Note: This is the first in an occasional series, where Clayton takes a look at the political contributions of some of Charlotte’s largest employers. All of this information is public and comes from the Center for Responsive Politics and N.C. State Board of Elections.
With the 2016 election season getting underway, I decided to take a look at how much money Duke Energy — the largest electric power holding company in the country and one of the largest employers in the Charlotte region — has contributed to political candidates in North Carolina.
The company regularly donates to members of both parties. During the 2014 senate race, Duke’s PAC and employees contributed to then-senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat, as well as Republicans Mark Harris, Greg Brannon and eventual winner Thom Tillis.
Duke also gave money to all 13 N.C. members of the U.S. House — Republicans and Democrats — during the 2014 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory worked for Duke for 28 years. According to the AP, he has received more than $1 million in campaign contributions linked to Duke since 2008.
The Fortune 250 company has lobbied on issues at the state and federal level that are important to its customers and shareholders, including energy and nuclear power, utilities, clean air and water, and other environmental issues.
And it isn’t just specific members and office-seekers who receive Duke’s support. Parties, leadership Political Action Committees, and 527 committees also receiving financial bolstering from Duke.
Here are some statistics on Duke’s PAC’s wide-ranging political contributions:
Photo: T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Infographic: A look at where Duke Energy spends its political dollars."