Plenty of under-the-radar givers forked over $1 million or more. | REUTERS 2012's no-profile mega-donors

Not all megadonors are the Koch brothers.

Plenty of super-wealthy activists spent more than $1 million trying to influence the 2012 election while managing to stay out of the spotlight.


And — judging by the 12 donors identified in a new report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington — that’s just how they like it. Most donors in the report — based on legal, publicly disclosed contributions to super PACs, political action committees, campaigns and party committees affiliated with both parties — refused to talk to POLITICO about their politics or motivations, didn’t return phone calls or respond to emails.

“I’m sure that they were very happy to see that they weren’t the ones in the newspapers and on TV,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “But it’s important to be aware of not just the people who get all the attention, but all the big donors, because a lot of them are trying to buy assistance.”

Among the donors: consultant Philip Geier Jr., who gave a combined $1.35 million to pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future and Karl Rove’s American Crossroads; real estate developer Franklin Haney, who gave $1 million each to pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action and Majority PAC; philanthropist Barbara Stiefel, who gave a total of $1.6 million to Priorities USA Action, American Bridge 21st Century and Women Vote; and energy investor Steven Webster, who gave $1 million to Restore Our Future.

Phillip and Susan Ragon, who gave a combined roughly $2 million to Democratic campaigns, committees and super PACs, including Priorities USA Action, American Bridge 21st Century, House Majority PAC and Majority PAC, do not discuss their political contributions, Catherine Marenghi, spokeswoman for the Ragons’ company, InterSystems Corp., told POLITICO in response to requests for interviews.

Dean White, a real estate developer who donated $1.2 million through personal contributions and contributions through his companies to American Crossroads and the anti-incumbent Campaign for Primary Accountability, also declined to discuss the motivations for his contributions.

“Mr. White is a private man, so he just does not comment on any of his contributions or talk to the press,” said Diane Gordon, White’s executive assistant.

Spokesmen for Ira Rennert, investor, miner and industrialist, who gave $1 million to Restore Our Future through his company The Renco Group, claimed “it was ludicrous” to suggest that Rennert’s contributions did not receive as much public attention as other megadonors, declined to set up an interview with Rennert and repeatedly said that CREW’s report was disparaging their client.

“Mr. Rennert’s contributions were in full compliance with all FEC laws and disclosure requirements,” said Andrew Shea, spokesman for Rennert. His donation history is publicly available, searchable and viewable for all to see. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous and simply false.”

Mel Heifetz, a Philadelphia-based real estate developer, who gave $1 million to Priorities USA Action, was the only donor in the report who responded. Heifetz wrote a Huffington Post column in August, saying he hoped the publicity over the donation might help persuade others to give, as well. Since then, he’s stayed under the radar, making smaller contributions to campaigns and committees.

“I gave the largest political contribution of my life because there was so much at stake. I didn’t care if it was going to be portrayed negatively,” he told POLITICO. “What mattered more was my full and public support of our president — who has been an extraordinary leader on issues I care about like the economy, the middle class and LGBT equality.”

So would Heifetz give again?

“I think 2012 showed that big checks don’t win elections, but rather, it takes a leader with a winning vision for this country and a motivated base to back him up,” he said. “Do I want to write another $1 million check? No. Is our campaign finance system messed up? Yes.”