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Jeb Bush grabs cash from Iran and Cuba emigres while opposing Obama policies Jeb Bush grabs cash from Iran and Cuba emigres while opposing Obama policies
(37 minutes later)
Emigres from Iran and Cuba are at the top of Jeb Bush’s record-breaking presidential fundraising haul, according to campaign finance disclosures that paint his opposition to Barack Obama’s twin foreign policy priorities in stark new light. Emigres from Iran and Cuba are at the top of Jeb Bush’s record-breaking presidential fundraising haul, according to campaign finance disclosures that paint the former Florida governor’s opposition to Barack Obama’s twin foreign policy priorities in stark new light.
Mike Fernandez, a Florida-based private equity billionaire who moved from Cuba in the 1960s, appears to be the largest single donor – contributing just over $3m in three contributions to Bush-supporting Right to Rise group since March. Mike Fernandez, a Florida-based private equity billionaire who moved from Cuba in the 1960s, appears to be the largest single donor – contributing just over $3m in three contributions to the Bush-supporting Right to Rise group since March.
Hushang Ansary, a former US ambassador to Iran before the revolution and now based in Texas, is joint second on the list – contributing $2m together with his wife, Shahla Ansary. Hushang Ansary, a US ambassador to Iran before the revolution who is now based in Texas, is joint second on the list – contributing $2m together with his wife, Shahla Ansary.
Only US citizens can make contributions to political campaigns and both men have lived in the US for decades. Only US citizens can make contributions to political campaigns. Both men have lived in the US for decades.
Nineteen families or corporations have given over $1m, according to the filings made available on Friday. Nineteen families or corporations have given more than $1m, according to the filings made available on Friday.
The Right to Rise political action committee, known as a Super Pac for its unlimited donation limits, has raised more than $100m to help Bush’s presidential campaign since it launched, although it is technically independent from the candidate under Federal Election Commission rules.The Right to Rise political action committee, known as a Super Pac for its unlimited donation limits, has raised more than $100m to help Bush’s presidential campaign since it launched, although it is technically independent from the candidate under Federal Election Commission rules.
Ansary, who has business interests in the oil industry, has long been a big donor to the Bush family, contributing heavily to George W Bush’s campaign in the 1990s. Ansary, who has business interests in the oil industry, has long been a big donor to the Bush family, having contributed heavily to George W Bush’s campaign in the 1990s.
Three other Texas-based couples who made their money from oil too also gave a total of $2m each: Richard and Nancy Kinder, Ray and Nancy Hunt and Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones. Three other Texas-based couples who made their money from oil also gave $2m each: Richard and Nancy Kinder, Ray and Nancy Hunt, and Trevor and Jan Rees-Jones.
Fernandez has written about how he cannot forget “the brutality of the regime” in Cuba, having witnessed the death of a man by firing squad there at the age of nine, but he has also argued it is “time to accept change” in the island’s relationship with the US. Fernandez has written about how he cannot forget “the brutality of the regime” in Cuba, having witnessed the death of a man by firing squad there at the age of nine. But he has also argued it is “time to accept change” in the island’s relationship with the US.
“I am not a fan of President Obama but after 50 plus years, this is long overdue,” he added in a statement issued at the time of the White House deal with Cuba. “I am not a fan of President Obama but after 50-plus years, this is long overdue,” he added in a statement issued at the time of the White House deal with Cuba.
Among the other big donors are hedge fund billionaire Louis Bacon who gave $1m through his hedge fund Moore Capital Management. Bacon, who is worth $1.75bn according to Forbes, hosted a glitzy party in support of Mitt Romney before the last election and has donated £250,000 to the Conservative party in the UK. Among the other big donors are the billionaire Louis Bacon, who gave $1m through his Moore Capital Management hedge fund. Bacon, who is worth $1.75bn according to Forbes, hosted a glitzy party in support of Mitt Romney before the 2012 election and has donated £250,000 ($390,000) to the Conservative party in the UK.
Helen Schwab, wife of multi-billionaire Charles Schwab, gave $1.5m. Charles Schwab, 78, the largest shareholder and executive chairman of the brokerage that bears his name, is worth $7.3bn according to Forbes. Helen Schwab, wife of multibillionaire Charles Schwab, gave $1.5m. According to Forbes, Charles Schwab, 78, the largest shareholder and executive chairman of the brokerage that bears his name, is worth $7.3bn.