Not all super-rich political donors want to bask in the spotlight. Many actually prefer to let their money do the talking while they stay far away from the attention garnered by the candidates and causes they support.
Here's a look at some of the donors who have kept a low profile while donating big money to outside spending groups so far in the 2014 election cycle, as compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics:
Robert J. Perry, Houston, TX -- The late Houston homebuilder gave at least $75 million in political contributions throughout his lifetime, most notably during the 2004 presidential campaign as the chief financial backer of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Perry died last year at age 80, but he will still have a tremendous impact in the 2014 midterm elections. Before his death, Perry contributed $1 million to the Senate Conservative Action Fund, $2 million to a Super PAC supporting Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn and $100,000 to a Super PAC supporting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
John Jordan, Healdsburg, CA -- The 41-year-old California vintner comes from a family of longtime wine makers and Republican donors. The CEO of Jordan Winery poured more than $1.3 million into his Super PAC "Americans for Progressive Action" to support Republican Gabriel Gomez in his unsuccessful Massachusetts Senate campaign. Jordan, who supports abortion rights and gay marriage, told the Wall Street Journal that Republicans need to seek "moderate centrist reasonable people who have the best interests of the country at heart.”
David Boies, Armonk, NY -- The prominent litigator has been the go-to attorney for a host of Democratic legal issues, including representing Al Gore in the 2000 presidential recount and teaming up with high-profile Republican attorney Ted Olson to successfully argue against California’s ban on same-sex marriage. The duo is now mounting a similar legal battle for same-sex marriage in Virginia. Boies and his wife have contributed $500,000 to both the Senate and House Majority PACs, aimed at giving Democrats the majority in both chambers of Congress.
Carolyn Oliver, Austin, TX -- The Texas physician has spent millions in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis and Battleground Texas, the group working to turn the highly conservative state more competitive.
Richard Uihlein, Lake Forest, IL -- The Illinois businessman became a heavy-weight donor after the Supreme Court's Citizen's United decision in 2010. Since then he has contributed heavily to tea party groups like the Club for Growth and Liberty Principles PAC. Uihlein, who along with his wife owns a packaging supply company, has also given to potential 2016 GOP presidential candidates Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
