Here's who the tech elite are throwing millions behind in the presidential election
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Tech moguls don't just fund the next hot startup. Investors and entrepreneurs are throwing millions of dollars, as well as their influence, to back political candidates as well.
Despite Silicon Valley's reputation for liberal politics, much of the money spent this election is going to the Republican party, thanks to a few out-sized million dollar donations (many of which were for candidates that have already dropped out of the race).
Many tech bigwigs are in Hillary Clinton's corner, but they haven't put as much money behind her yet. Compared to the $3.5 million that Silicon Valley gave to President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign, donations to Clinton have totaled just $1.3 million so far, according to data from the International Business Times.
Here's who is "feeling the Bern" for Bernie Sanders, who put millions behind Rand Paul's unsuccessful run, and how many tech figures have stood behind Hillary.
Tech's biggest donor so far, Oracle founder Larry Ellison gave $5 million to support Republican candidate Marco Rubio.
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Since 2015, Ellison has given more than $5 million to the Conservative Solutions PAC, which supported Marco Rubio.
Rubio dropped out of the race on March 16, 2016 after a loss in the Florida primary.
Data center operator George Macricostas gave $2.1 million in support of Rand Paul.
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George Macricostas made a fortune by building data centers since he founded Raging Wire in 2000.
Now, Macricostas is giving some of that away to support Rand Paul. He gave $2.1 million to the America's Liberty PAC and Concerned American Voters to support Paul's campaign, although the Republican candidate dropped out in early February.
Paypal founder and tech investor Peter Thiel gave $2 million to support former HP CEO Carly Fiorina's presidential run.
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Legendary investor Peter Thiel forked over $2 million to the Conservative, Authentic, Reponsive Leadership for You and for America super PAC.
If you managed to keep up with the acronym, it stand for Carly for America — the original name of the super PAC until the FEC made them change it.
Carly Fiorina, the former HP CEO, dropped out of the presidential race on February 10, 2016.
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