First on CNN: Ted Cruz to woo top Club for Growth donors

Theodore Schleifer
By Theodore Schleifer, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 4:23 PM EDT, Mon October 5, 2015
As presidential candidates gear up for the 2016 election, their super PACs -- which can accept unlimited donations as long as they don't coordinate spending with the campaign -- eye wealthy businessmen who can donate large sums of cash.<br /><br />Here's a look at well-known donors who have given money to conservative presidential campaigns in the past.
As presidential candidates gear up for the 2016 election, their super PACs -- which can accept unlimited donations as long as they don't coordinate spending with the campaign -- eye wealthy businessmen who can donate large sums of cash.

Here's a look at well-known donors who have given money to conservative presidential campaigns in the past.
Getty Images
Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the GOP's top giver in 2012, has not given any money to Republican candidates' allied groups for the 2016 election. <br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2012&disp=D&type=V&superonly=S" target="_blank" target="_blank">OpenSecrets</a>, he spent almost $92 million on conservatives in the 2012 election.
Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, the GOP's top giver in 2012, has not given any money to Republican candidates' allied groups for the 2016 election.

According to OpenSecrets, he spent almost $92 million on conservatives in the 2012 election.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has contributed $500,000 to groups supporting Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham.
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has contributed $500,000 to groups supporting Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
The Koch brothers -- Charles, left, and David -- are known for making significant financial contributions to conservative presidential candidates. <br /><br />They have reportedly not donated to any 2016 super PACs so far.
The Koch brothers -- Charles, left, and David -- are known for making significant financial contributions to conservative presidential candidates.

They have reportedly not donated to any 2016 super PACs so far.
from koch industries/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Silicon Valley angel investor Peter Thiel has not committed to donating to anyone yet.<br /><br />According to OpenSecrets, he has given more than $5 million in political donations since 2004.
Silicon Valley angel investor Peter Thiel has not committed to donating to anyone yet.

According to OpenSecrets, he has given more than $5 million in political donations since 2004.
Tristan Fewings/Getty Images
Businessman Norman Braman is reportedly willing to invest $10 million of his money to Marco Rubio, his mentee in Miami.
Businessman Norman Braman is reportedly willing to invest $10 million of his money to Marco Rubio, his mentee in Miami.
Aaron Davidson/Getty Images
New York investor Paul Singer, who gave $10.5 million to outside groups in 2014, has not donated any money yet this election.
New York investor Paul Singer, who gave $10.5 million to outside groups in 2014, has not donated any money yet this election.
Thos Robinson/Getty Images for New York Times
Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts and his wife reportedly donated $5 million to Scott Walker's super PAC.
Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts and his wife reportedly donated $5 million to Scott Walker's super PAC.
Kris Connor/Getty Images for Roadside Attractions
Diane Hendricks, a roofing billionaire, shares a home state with Walker and has long supported his campaigns. She has donated to Walker's PAC Unintimidated, which has raised $20 million.
Diane Hendricks, a roofing billionaire, shares a home state with Walker and has long supported his campaigns. She has donated to Walker's PAC Unintimidated, which has raised $20 million.
From Hendricks Holding Co., INC.
Kelcy Warren, who became a billionaire through piping, is one of two Dallas men bankrolling the majority of Rick Perry's super PAC.
Kelcy Warren, who became a billionaire through piping, is one of two Dallas men bankrolling the majority of Rick Perry's super PAC.
From George W. Bush Institute
Darwin Deason is a Dallas man betting on Perry.
Darwin Deason is a Dallas man betting on Perry.
From Forbes
From left, Dan and Farris Wilks are billionaire brothers who made their fortunes in fracking. Along with their wives, they are sending $15 million to boost the campaign of fellow Texan Ted Cruz.
From left, Dan and Farris Wilks are billionaire brothers who made their fortunes in fracking. Along with their wives, they are sending $15 million to boost the campaign of fellow Texan Ted Cruz.
From Forbes
Bob Mercer, a reclusive hedge-funder from New York, was one of the top Republican givers in 2012 and 2014. And he's betting big -- $11 million big -- on Cruz.<br /><br />Mercer also gave $250,000 to Bobby Jindal and, in a somewhat unusual move, reassigned $500,000 that he gave to Cruz's super PAC to Carly Fiorina's.
Bob Mercer, a reclusive hedge-funder from New York, was one of the top Republican givers in 2012 and 2014. And he's betting big -- $11 million big -- on Cruz.

Mercer also gave $250,000 to Bobby Jindal and, in a somewhat unusual move, reassigned $500,000 that he gave to Cruz's super PAC to Carly Fiorina's.
Andrew Toth/Getty Images
Toby Neugebauer, a Houston oil investor and the son of a congressman, controls a pro-Cruz super PAC with his $10 million.
Toby Neugebauer, a Houston oil investor and the son of a congressman, controls a pro-Cruz super PAC with his $10 million.
From QR Energy
Who are the conservative donors in the 2016 race?

Story highlights

Ted Cruz will have a chance to win over some of the Republican Party's top donors at a beachside conference later this month

The Texas senator is the sole presidential candidate confirmed to attend the Club for Growth's economic conference in San Diego on Oct. 15

Washington CNN  — 

Ted Cruz will have a chance to win over some of the Republican Party’s top donors at a beachside conference later this month.

The Texas senator is the sole presidential candidate confirmed to attend the Club for Growth’s economic conference in San Diego on Oct. 15, according to an invitation, giving Cruz a platform to court the deep-pocketed donors part of the Club’s network. Cruz has been surprisingly effective at landing top GOP moneymen, collecting more than $50 million for his campaign and super PACs.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on May 2, 2016 in Indianapolis.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on May 2, 2016 in Indianapolis.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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The Club, which is one of the most conservative spending groups in elections, is helping raise money for four presidential candidates; Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Sens. Marco Rubio and Rand Paul, whose campaign said was invited to the conference. But no other presidential candidates are confirmed to attend.

“We believe he’s a very pro-growth senator and would be a good pro-growth president,” said Doug Sachtleben, the group’s spokesman.

The $1,500-a-head summit at the luxury Hotel del Coronado will feature “conversations about policy and politics with America’s leading conservative, pro-growth Congressmen, Senators and Governors,” according to the invitation. Conservative favorite Rep. Ron DeSantis, who is now running for a Senate seat in Florida, and Fox News personality Greg Gutfeld will also speak.

5 candidate split no overlay
Nigel Parry for CNN
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At the Club’s more extensive three-day retreat in Palm Beach, Florida, in February, six candidates earned facetime with the party’s donors, who tend to butt heads with more GOP establishment financiers: Bush, Rubio, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Walker dropped out last week, and Pence chose to not enter the race.

Cruz is a natural fit for the group, which is unafraid to battle in Republican primaries. One of the main donors to the Club for Growth’s super PAC, New York hedge funder Bob Mercer, gave $11 million to start his own super PAC backing Cruz, Keep the Promise I.

One potential area of friction: The Republican front-runner, Donald Trump, who Cruz has embraced even though the Club has unveiled a $1 million campaign to tear him down.