Politics

NBA stars contributed to Democrats in 2008, Obama looks to raise money with them in 2010

By Paul Blumenthal

In 2008 professional basketball players contributed some tens of thousands of dollars to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and to the Democratic National Committee (DNC). So far this year they haven’t shelled out much money to help the President’s party.

Last night President Barack Obama sought to tap some of those contributors from 2008 to help the Florida Democrats including Senate candidate Kendrick Meeks and Rep. Ron Klein. The President arrived in Florida yesterday for a fundraiser at the home of Miami Heat basketball player Alonzo Mourning. Mourning would be joined by fellow Heat teammates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

Mourning was among twenty-seven professional basketball players contributing to the President’s 2008 campaign, according to data obtained from the Center for Responsive Politics. Nine players, six whom also contributed to the Obama campaign, contributed to the DNC. These players included some of the biggest stars in the league including LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Emeka Okafor and Baron Davis.

Nearly all of the contributions from players went to either Barack Obama or the DNC. Only one player, Mike Miller, contributed to a Republican, Sen. John Thune.

Only four players contributed this cycle. Boston Celtics star Ray Allen contributed to the failed Senate campaign of Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. Aaron McKie, now retired, contributed to Sen. Arlen Specter’s primary election, which Specter lost. Both Dikembe Mutombo, now retired, and Juwan Howard contributed to the DNC this year. Curious if there’s a trend here.

See below to view all contributions made by professional basketball players from 2007-2010 (the team is the one the player played for at the time):

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on October 12, 2010 (boomark / email).