Political action committees of big Georgia businesses

Like unions and trade organizations, corporations can form political action committees to collect money and make contributions to candidates and other political committees. Here’s a look at Georgia’s most active corporate PACs during the 2007-2008 election cycle:

1. United Parcel Service Inc. PAC
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $4,008,534
Contributions to federal candidates: $1,649,750
Party split: 40 percent to Democrats, 60 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Aug. 31

2. Aflac Incorporated Political Action Committee AflacPac
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $2,161,659
Contributions to federal candidates: $1,446,500
Party split: 50 percent to Democrats, 50 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Sept. 30

3. Southern Co. Employees PAC
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $517,786
Contributions to federal candidates: $214,000
Party split: 47 percent to Democrats, 53 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Sept. 30

4. Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. Employees PAC
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $288,960
Contributions to federal candidates: $135,300
Party split: 55 percent to Democrats, 45 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Sept. 30

5. Flowers Industries Inc. Political Action Committee
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $262,500
Contributions to federal candidates: $119,000
Party split: zero percent to Democrats, 100 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Sept. 30

6. King & Spalding Nonpartisan Committee for Good Government
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $232,000
Contributions to federal candidates: $153,499
Party split: 62 percent to Democrats, 38 percent to Republicans
Data current through: June 30

7. Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc. Better Government Committee
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $219,735
Contributions to federal candidates: $171,500
Party split: 30 percent to Democrats, 70 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Aug. 31

8. Coca-Cola Co. Nonpartisan Committee for Good Governments (Coke PAC)
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $206,550
Contributions to federal candidates: $162,550
Party split: 49 percent to Democrats, 51 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Aug. 31

9. Mirant Corp. PAC Inc.
Total spending on candidates, other committees and expenses: $189,669
Contributions to federal candidates: $109,500
Party split: 61 percent to Democrats, 39 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Sept. 30

10. Powell Goldstein LLP Political Action Committee
Total spending on candidate, other committees and expenses: $177,253
Contributions to federal candidates: $80,000
Party split: 41 percent to Democrats, 59 percent to Republicans
Data current through: Aug. 31

Sources: Federal Election Commission (www.fec.gov), Center for Responsive Politics (www.opensecrets.org)