• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

2

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen

3

As the U.S. Treasury shells out $95 billion a month in interest to cover deficits, Trump pitches a $1.3 trillion payout to voters if Republicans win the midterms

1

Billionaire Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong says most charities are 'net negative'—and that he has no plans to make his own foundation

2

Scott Bessent dared the $32 trillion bond market with 'I am the house now' statement. It didn’t listen

3

As the U.S. Treasury shells out $95 billion a month in interest to cover deficits, Trump pitches a $1.3 trillion payout to voters if Republicans win the midterms

Venture capital’s (past) support for Todd Akin

By
Dan Primack
Dan Primack
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Dan Primack
Dan Primack
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 22, 2012, 3:40 PM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

FORTUNE — When Todd Akin made his outrageous comments over the weekend, I checked to see if Rep. Ignoramus (R-MO) had received any campaign contributions from the venture capital or private equity community (forgive me, but it’s my beat).

No individual checks that I could find for this cycle, but it turns out that the National Venture Capital Association’s political action committee (VenturePAC) gave $2,000 to his senate campaign in May 2011. It also made eight prior donations to Akin, going back to 2006, for a grand total of $13,500.

Seems the contributions were largely related to Akin’s senior position on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology (i.e., access). There he has supported the NVCA on such issues as opposing SOPA and supporting an expansion of SBIR grant availability to VC-backed companies (the latter of which is what the $2,000 donation was related to). On the other hand, he also voted against the debt limit increase and wants to abolish both the EPA and the Department of Energy.

Worth emphasizing that VenturePAC’s donation to Akin was relatively small, and it did not make a donation in 2012. Do not expect that to change, given his recent statements.

Sign up for Dan’s daily email newsletter on deals and deal-makers: GetTermSheet.com

About the Author
By Dan Primack
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.