D’s donors way outpace Koch

Regarding the article, “Dems, Koch money fight in Senate battlegrounds”: I found it interesting that in the 39 paragraph article the author did not mention that the Koch brothers are 59th (OpenSecrets.org) in political donations in the years 1989 to 2014. Koch Industries donated $18.1 million with Rs getting 91 percent and Ds getting 8 percent. Ahead of them are 18 unions, the vast majority of whom gave a lesser percentage of their donations to Republicans than Koch Industries gave to Democrats. During this period unions that should be recognizable to Snohomish County citizens gave the following:

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, No. 2 in giving, donated $60.9 million of which 81 percent went to Ds and 1 percent to Rs.

The National Education Association, No. 3, donated $58.6 million; 56 percent to Ds and 4 percent to Rs.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, No. 6, donated $45.2 million; 92 percent to Ds and 2 percent to Rs.

The American Federation of Teachers, No. 12, donated $36.7 million; 8 percent to Ds and 0 percent to Rs.

Machinists and Aerospace Workers, No. 22, donated $31.4 million; 98 percent to Ds and 1 percent to Rs.

Harry Reid rails about Koch Industries but their “campaign to rig the American political system” pales compared to Harry’s minions.

James Hager

Monroe