Mitt Romney is private equity’s preferred presidential candidate, given that he made his fortune through venture capital and leveraged buyout deals at Bain Capital. But rival Newt Gingrich has at least a few private equity pros on his donor rolls.
Here are Gingrich’s PE backers, according to FEC data through the end of September:
James Cooper
Senior managing director, Thompson Street Capital Partners
Cooper founded Thompson Street in 2000, and the St. Louis-based firm currently manages over $445 million of private equity assets with a focus on middle-market companies. He donated $1,000 to Gingrich in September.
Ramsey Battin
Director, Arcapita Ventures
Battin joined Atlanta-based Arcapita Ventures in 2005, after having been a partner with Southeastern Technology Fund. He donated $250 to Gingrich in September.
Tim Luby
Co-founder, True North Investments
Luby is co-founder of True North, an Illinois-based real estate acquisition, development and management firm. He donated $2,500 to Gingrich in August.
Jason Wallace
Managing director, Blackstone Advisory Partners
Wallace is more a banker than PE investor, having advised on such deals as Sealed Air’s acquisition of Diversey, Graham Packaging’s acquisition of Liquid Container and Kinder Morgan’s sale to a buyout consortium. He donated $1,000 to Gingrich in March.
William Weathers
Manager, Weathers Asset Management
Weathers is an angel investor in both start-up companies and venture capital funds, having been in the business since 1986. He donated $500 to Gingrich back in May.
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