HOUSTON – Speakers on the first night of the Democratic National Convention called for a reversal of a Supreme Court ruling that allows unlimited contributions to independent-expenditure-only political committees, known as super PACS.
"We believe we must get big money out of politics and root out corruption," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said. "Hillary (Clinton) will fight to overturn Citizens United and return this government to the people."
While she might be campaigning to overturn the 2009 ruling, a Rice University political science professor said Clinton’s super PAC is benefiting from it.
“Hillary Clinton, for her campaign, will receive over $1 billion when you combine her campaign and the super PACs that support her,” Mark Jones said.
According to OpenSecrets.org, Clinton has raised around $300 million between direct campaign contributions and outside money.
SEARCH: Hillary Clinton’s campaign contributions
Priorities USA Action made up $100 million of her total contributions, which is funded primarily by big investment firms like Saban Capital Group, Renaissance Technologies and Paloma Partners.
The former secretary of state held several private fundraisers in Houston, and more than $4.5 million of her total campaign contributions reportedly came from the Bayou City.
“The leading donor right now would be Steve Mostyn, a trial attorney who is well-known in Democratic circles as the leading bankroller of Democratic campaigns here in Texas,” Jones said.
SEARCH: Presidential candidate fundraising by state
Mostyn and his wife hosted a fundraiser for Clinton in their museum district home and he gave $1 million to Priorities USA.
Houston attorney Kathy Patrick, a securities litigator with the firm Gibbs and Bruns, donated $10,000 to that Super PAC.
Metropolitian Transit Authority of Harris County chair Carrin Patman gave $15,000 to the Ready PAC, another pro-Clinton group. Patman is a commercial litigation attorney for Bracewell & Guiliani LLP.
More than 60 Texans have also shelled out the maximum contribution of $5,400 directly to Clinton’s campaign. Among them is personal injury attorney Jim Adler, who calls himself the "Texas Hammer," and Landry’s restaurant group owner Tillman Fertitta and his wife.
“While they've given the max for her campaign, the sky’s the limit to what they can give to the super PAC, and the super PAC has those names now,” Jones said.