This article reflects Federal Election Commission filings as of Sept. 30, 2019. Gohereto see the latest billionaire donor count.
See more on the supporters of Joe Biden, Michael Bennet, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang.
Cory Booker may not be a billionaire, as he told viewers in his new ad, but he’s had help from them. Booker has raised money from more Silicon Valley billionaires and their spouses than any other Democratic presidential candidate still in the race, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission filings.
Forbes found 45 billionaires and their spouses who have donated to Booker’s campaign, one third of whom owe their fortunes to technology companies. Google investor John Doerr, Salesforce founder Marc Benioff and Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia all backed the New Jersey senator. Eric Schmidt, whose venture capital firm previously invested in a video-sharing platform that Booker cofounded, pitched in as well.
Booker got additional support from Wall Street. Nearly one third of his donors made their fortunes in finance and investments. That bunch includes hedge funder Bill Ackman, Blackstone executives Jonathan Gray and Hamilton “Tony” James as well as Toby Cooperman, who is married to the hedge fund billionaire Leon Cooperman. “Cory is a good man,” Cooperman, who famously sparred with Elizabeth Warren over her wealth tax proposal in November, wrote in an email. “I have made no political contributions because my money is earmarked to help real people in need.”
Read more in our series:Here Are The Billionaires Funding The Democratic Presidential Candidates
Booker also raised money from director Steven Spielberg and Mellody Hobson, the wife of another Hollywood billionaire, Star Wars creator George Lucas.
The donors have pitched in steadily. Forbes found 15 who gave to Booker’s campaign in his first fundraising quarter, 16 in the second quarter and 14 in the third, which ended September 30.
Booker has also gotten some help from super PACs, groups that are not controlled by campaigns but can buy ads to support or oppose particular candidates. The first pro-Booker super PAC, Dream United, launched in early 2019. It raised $1.1 million—much of it from Susan Sandler, heiress to the Golden West banking fortune—before it was announced that it would shut down in late November. A new super PAC popped up in its wake, called United We Win. That group, which has not yet disclosed its donors, is best known for funding an ad called “The Other Rhodes Scholar,” which presents Booker as an alternative to 2020 rival Pete Buttigieg.
Despite all the support, Booker still did not qualify for the Democratic debate in December.
How Cory Booker’s Donors Got Rich
Forbesfound 45 billionaires and spouses who donated to Booker’s campaign. They built their fortunes in seven industries.
The billionaires backing Booker, ordered by net worth:
ERIC SCHMIDT
Net worth: $15.5 billion
Source of wealth: Google
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Joe Biden
Other notable contributions: Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund ($35,500)
LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK
Net worth: $9 billion
Source of wealth: Agriculture, water
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (dropout), John Hickenlooper (dropout), Amy Klobuchar
Other notable contributions: Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund ($518,200)
JOHN AND ANN DOERR
Net worth: $7.7 billion
Source of wealth: Venture capital
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund ($92,200)
MARC AND LYNNE BENIOFF
Net worth: $6.9 billion
Source of wealth: Salesforce
Size of donation: $5,400
Also supported: Kamala Harris (dropout), Jay Inslee (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Mark Kelly for Senate ($5,400) to support the Arizona Democratic candidate for Senate
ELI AND EDYTHE BROAD
Net worth: $6.8 billion
Source of wealth: Home building, financial services
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: PAC For A Change ($25,000), a political action committee that opposes Republican candidates
MELLODY HOBSON, WIFE OF GEORGE LUCAS
Spouse’s net worth: $6.4 billion
Source of wealth: Star Wars
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (dropout), John Hickenlooper (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ($35,500); Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($35,500)
JOE GEBBIA
Net worth: $4.2 billion
Source of wealth: Airbnb
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: No one directly.
Other notable contributions: Pallone for Congress ($5,600) to support New Jersey Democratic Representative Frank Pallone
JONATHAN GRAY
Net worth: $3.8 billion
Source of wealth: Blackstone
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Joe Biden, Michael Bennet, Pete Buttigieg, Kirsten Gillibrand (dropout), Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris (dropout), John Hickenlooper (dropout), Seth Moulton (dropout), Beto O’Rourke (dropout)
Other notable contributions: DSCC ($35,500); DCCC ($35,500)
ANDRES AND LAUREN SANTO DOMINGO
Net worth: $3.8 billion
Source of wealth: Beer
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Amy McGrath for Senate ($5,600) to support the Kentucky Democratic candidate for Senate; Ditch Fund ($1,000), a political action committee that opposes Kentucky Republican senator Mitch McConnell
DAVID BONDERMAN
Net worth: $3.7 billion
Source of wealth: Private equity
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: DSCC ($35,500)
STEVEN SPIELBERG AND KATE CAPSHAW
Net worth: $3.6 billion
Source of wealth: Movies
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: People for Ben ($11,200) to support Ben Lujan, a New Mexico Democratic representative; Shaheen for Senate ($11,200) to support Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democratic senator, Schiff for Congress ($5,600) to support Adam Schiff, a California Democratic representative
TOBY COOPERMAN, WIFE OF LEON COOPERMAN
Spouse’s net worth: $3.2 billion
Source of wealth: Hedge funds
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: No one directly
DORIS FISHER
Net worth: $2.5 billion
Source of wealth: Gap
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: No one directly
JOHN FISHER
Net worth: $2.5 billion
Source of wealth: Gap
Size of donation: $5,500
Also supported: Michael Bennet, John Delaney, Kamala Harris (dropout), Tom Steyer
Other notable contributions: Mike Gallagher for Wisconsin ($2,800) to support the Wisconsin Republican representative; The Gap Inc. Political Action Committee ($5,000)
REID HOFFMAN AND MICHELLE YEE
Net worth: $1.9 billion
Source of wealth: LinkedIn
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Steve Bullock (dropout), Pete Buttigieg, Kirsten Gillibrand (dropout), Jay Inslee (dropout), Kamala Harris (dropout), Amy Klobuchar
Other notable contributions: Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund ($865,000), a political action committee that supports state Democratic parties
MARC AND CATHY LASRY
Net worth: $1.8 billion
Source of wealth: Hedge funds
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Kirsten Gillibrand (dropout), Kamala Harris (dropout), Amy Klobuchar, Joe Sestak (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Mark Kelly for Senate ($2,800)
JUDY DIMON, WIFE OF JAMIE DIMON
Spouse’s net worth: $1.7 billion
Source of wealth: JPMorgan
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Joe Biden, John Delaney
HAMILTON JAMES
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Source of wealth: Blackstone
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Amy Klobuchar, John Delaney
Other notable contributions: Peters for Michigan ($5,600) to support Michigan Democratic Representative Gary Peters; Mikie Sherrill for Congress ($2,800) to support the New Jersey Democratic congresswoman
GARY AND ALEVTINA MICHELSON
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Source of wealth: Medical patents
Size of donation: $5,700
Also supported: No one directly.
Other notable contributions: Nevada State Democratic Party ($20,000)
WILLIAM ACKMAN AND NERI OXMAN
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Source of wealth: Hedge funds
Size of donation: $8,400
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Pete Buttigieg
Other notable contributions: Mark Kelly for Senate ($2,800); Collins for Senator ($5,400) to support Maine Republican Senator, Susan Collins; Mikie Sherrill for Congress ($5,600)
NICOLE SYSTROM, WIFE OF KEVIN SYSTROM
Spouse’s net worth: $1.6 billion
Source of wealth: Instagram
Size of donation: $1,000
Also supported: Pete Buttigieg, Jay Inslee (dropout)
JONATHAN TISCH
Net worth: $1.6 billion
Source of wealth: Insurance, NFL team
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar
Other notable contributions: Priorities USA Action ($100,000), a political action committee that opposes Republicans and support Democratic candidates
SETH AND BETH KLARMAN
Net worth: $1.5 billion
Source of wealth: Hedge funds
Size of donation: $8,400
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Pete Buttigieg, John Delaney, Kamala Harris (dropout), Amy Klobuchar
Other notable contributions: Weld 2020 Presidential Campaign Committee ($5,600) to support Republican presidential candidate Bill Weld; DSCC ($150,000); DCCC ($213,000)
ROBERT FISHER
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Source of wealth: Gap
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: John Delaney, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer
Other notable contributions: DelBene for Congress ($5,600) to support Washington Democratic Representative Suzan DelBene; Jimmy Panetta for Congress ($5,600) to support the California Democratic representative
WILLIAM FISHER
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Source of wealth: Gap
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Tom Steyer
Other notable contributions: The Gap Inc. Political Action Committee ($5,000); Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball Political Action Committee ($2,500)
JIM AND ANNA MCKELVEY ***
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Source of wealth: Square
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Pete Buttigieg
MARK PINCUS
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Source of wealth: Online games
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Amy Klobuchar
CHRIS AND CRYSTAL SACCA
Net worth: $1.2 billion
Source of wealth: Venture capital
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris (dropout), Jay Inslee (dropout), Beto O’Rourke (dropout), Elizabeth Warren
Other notable contributions: Kathleen Williams for Montana ($5,600) to support the Democratic candidate’s congressional campaign, Amy McGrath for Senate ($4,200)
GARY AND LAURA LAUDER
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Source of wealth: Estée Lauder
Size of donation: $5,600
Also supported: Michael Bennet, Kirsten Gillibrand (dropout), John Hickenlooper (dropout), Kamala Harris (dropout)
Other notable contributions: Nancy Pelosi Victory Fund ($50,000)
LAURIE TISCH
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Source of wealth: Insurance, NFL team
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg
Other notable contributions: Planned Parenthood Votes ($10,000); Iowa Democratic Party ($10,000)
STEVEN TISCH
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Source of wealth: Insurance, NFL team
Size of donation: $2,800
Also supported: Pete Buttigieg
* Forbes Real-Time net worth as of Dec. 19, 2019.
** Contribution amounts represent donations given from January to September 2019, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
*** Jim McKelvey told Forbes that his wife Anna made the contribution in his name.
This post will be updated as new federal filings are released.
Additional reporting by Giacomo Tognini