Business, medical, construction and development interests have poured money into the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Robert Bentley, while labor unions and PACs that received contributions from gambling have been a major source of cash for the campaign of Democrat Ron Sparks.
An analysis of the most recent campaign disclosure forms in the governor's race, filed last week, shows that both candidates received a majority of their major contributions from political action committees.
Of the $3.3 million Bentley raised since the runoff, his largest contribution came from the Republican Party of Alabama PAC, which put in $435,000 drawn from businesses, other PACs, individuals and other Republican candidates.
The retired dermatologist also got a big boost from medical interests, including a $250,000 donation from Alabama Medical PAC, $25,000 from the dental PAC, $15,000 from the state anesthesiologists PAC, plus numerous individual contributions from doctors. Coupling the medical PAC donations with contributions from individuals identifying themselves as doctors, Bentley collected a total of $334,925 from medical sources.
Political fundraiser Mike Echols of Tuscaloosa rounded up $220,540 for the Bentley campaign, contributing through PACs fueled by a variety of interests, including construction and nursing homes.
The nursing home industry also gave through its PACs, contributing $103,500.
PACs operated by Tuscaloosa's Ryan deGraffenried III, which took in money from a variety of businesses including construction and paving, contributed $130,000 to the Bentley campaign. The same amount came from the constellation of business-oriented PACs operated by Montgomery lobby firm Fine Geddie.
Montgomery lobbyist Clark Richardson distributed $64,000 from his clients and $50,000 came from PACs operated by Birmingham governmental affairs consultant Steve Bradley.
Trucking industry PACs gave $50,000 to Bentley.
PACs related to the construction and road-building industry gave heavily to Bentley, including $80,000 from cement producers PACS; $50,000 from the Alabama Builder's PAC and $47,000 from the Associated Builders and Contractors PAC. PACs related to the coal industry gave Bentley $31,000.
Of contributions to Bentley $1,000 or greater, $267,500 came from businesses, $979,683 came from individuals and $1.4 million came from PACs.
Of the $783,306 Sparks raised since his last report, the biggest chunk came directly from the state teacher's union, A-Vote, which gave $105,000.
In addition, Sparks received $17,000 from PACs operated by lobbyist Joe Cottle, which were largely funded by the teacher's union.
Sparks, who is running on his proposals to establish a lottery and legalize and tax casino gambling, took in $128,500 from PACs operated by lobbyists who have received donations either directly or indirectly from gambling interests.
That includes $57,500 from lobbyist John Teague's PACs and $28,500 from John Crawford PACs.
In addition to the teacher's union, Sparks also received $76,000 from a variety of unions.
Coal industry PACs gave Sparks $25,000.
Montgomery governmental affairs consultant Harvey E. Cauthen Jr. and his PACs gave Sparks $20,000.
Among major donors, Sparks got $62,500 from businesses, $174,600 from individuals and $406,500 from PACs.