Microsoft and its employees feeding federal political campaigns at record pace

As the fall political campaign is heating up, one of Washington?s largest companies is aiming to have more political influence on federal elections than ever before.

With two months to go, Microsoft Corp., its employees and Microsoft?s political action committee, MSPAC, have spent a combined $2.5 million on 2012 federal campaigns, on pace to beat their 2008 spending. Contributions total $1.76 million to Democrats and $782,000 to Republicans. In addition, current and former Microsoft employees are directly involved in fundraising efforts for some of the election?s biggest races.

The company that was barely on anyone?s political radar before its landmark antitrust case in the late 1990s has grown into one of the heavyweights of corporate political donations, outspending some of America?s biggest companies, including Bank of America and General Electric, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.

Overall for this election cycle, Microsoft and its affiliates are leaning left ? 69 percent of contributions have gone to Democrats, 31 percent to Republicans. However the lobbyist-run MSPAC, which is primarily supported by voluntary donations from the company?s employees, is putting its money behind Republicans (57 percent) more than Democrats (43 percent).

?Microsoft feels very strongly that corporations have a role in the political process,? Microsoft Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship Dan Bross said. ?In our view (our role is) to advance the business and increase business value.?

Seattle political consultant Blair Butterworth said the growth in Microsoft?s campaign spending follows national trends.

?They?re not the kingpins, but they?re by no means irrelevant,? he said.

Emily Parkhurst covers the technology industry for the Puget Sound Business Journal/TechFlash.

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Source: http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/bizj_national/~3/dfR21k49sRE/microsoft-and-its-employees-feeding.html

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