Even before the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Kathy Castor had opposed expanded drilling closer to Florida’s shores.
So if you’re connecting the dots, you’ll find that the oil and gas industry, and individuals who work in it, have given no money to Castor, since she was first elected in 2006, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
In the current election cycle, oil and gas-related PACs have contributed more than $4.7 million to members of Congress and other candidates. Of that, 65 percent has gone to Republicans, and 35 percent has gone to Democrats, according to CRP.
The oil and gas PACs contributing the most to candidates this year are Koch Industries, $488,500; Exxon Mobil, $359,450; and Valero Energy, $338,500. BP this year has contributed $75,500, according to CRP.
This story is a modified version of a story that originally appeared in Political Watch which discussed both Castor and Vern Buchanan.