Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is leaning heavily on financial support from deep-pocketed donors in Silicon Valley and across California in her long-shot presidential bid.
Famed venture capitalist Tom Perkins and former Intel CEO Paul Otellini are among the wealthy donors that cut checks for Carly for America, the super PAC supporting Fiorina’s candidacy. The mid-year filing deadline for super PACs is Friday and the list of Carly for America donors was first shared with CNN.
Perkins, a former HP board member long described as having pushed for Fiorina’s ouster from the tech company in 2005, gave $25,000 to the super PAC. Otellini cut a $5,000 check.
The largest donation to the Fiorina super PAC — close to $1.6 million — came from Jerry Perenchio, the former CEO of Univision and national finance co-chairman for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign with deep ties to California.
The super PAC had previously announced raking in around $3.4 million, and Fiorina’s campaign said it had raised $1.4 million.
One unusual contribution of $500,000 to Carly for America came from Keep the Promise I — one of a network of affiliated super PACs supporting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential run. Media-shy hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer is believed to be the main funder behind Keep the Promise I.
Though Mercer is heavily investing in Cruz’s campaign for president, the financier seems to have also taken a liking to Fiorina — he cut a $2,700 check to Fiorina’s campaign in May. The treasurer of Keep the Promise I, Jacquelyn James-Varga, did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Carly for America also declined to comment on the sizeable contribution from Keep the Promise I.
Other well-known donors to Carly for America include Linda McMahon, the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment and Connecticut Senate candidate, who gave $10,000 (McMahon also supports New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie).
Charles Munger, the Palo Alto-based physicist and mega donor, and Robert Day, founder of the Los Angeles-based asset management firm TCW, were among the handful of six-figure donors to the super PAC, each contributing $100,000.
After bursting into 2016 race with harsh criticism of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Fiorina has struggled to stand out in the large GOP field. Registering near the bottom of national polls, Fiorina is unlike to qualify to participate in the first primary debate hosted by Fox News in Ohio next week.
But the roster of high-powered donors backing Fiorina suggests that if she were to have a breakout moment later in the cycle, she would have a unique network of supporters to turn to.
Another prominent Silicon Valley figure to give to Fiorina’s campaign is Jim Barksdale, the former CEO of Netscape. He has not contributed to the super PAC.
