Buying of the President

Published — April 12, 2015 Updated — October 21, 2015 at 3:26 pm ET

12 things to know about Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton. Andrew Harnik/AP

Introduction

Ready or not, here comes Hillary.

Clinton will today make official what for months — even years — has seemed inevitable: that she’ll again run for president.

All the while, a small political industry materialized around the Democrat’s expected bid, including more than a dozen pro- and anti-Clinton super PACs that together have raised millions of dollars off her (until now) non-candidacy.

But the story of Clinton cash is as old as the Clinton political dynasty that began with husband Bill’s election to the White House in 1992. Here’s more about the former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state who could become the first woman to lead the nation:

  • Wall Street hearts Hillary: Employees of giant financial firms represented five of Clinton’s top 10 contributors during her 2008 presidential run.
  • Most presidential candidates get much more money from men than women. For Hillary Clinton in 2008, she received slightly more from women than men, according to Center for Responsive Politics estimates.
  • In May 2008, right before Hillary Clinton suspended her presidential bid, her campaign had $22.5 million in debt — more than half owed to Clinton herself.
  • In 2013, a New York City businessman pleaded guilty to illegally supporting Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign with more than $608,000 in campaign services.
  • Donors to the Clinton Foundation include some of the nation’s most notable liberal political donors, such as Fred Eychaner and Steven Spielberg, as well as numerous corporations and foreign governments.
  • As of 2012, Hillary Clinton’s final full year as secretary of state, the Center for Responsive Politics estimated her net worth at about $15.3 million.
  • In July, Hillary Clinton got $275,000 to speak at the University at Buffalo

Sources: Center for Public Integrity reporting, as well as the Center for Responsive Politics, ClintonFoundation.org, Federal Election Commission, Washington Post and U.S. Senate.

Read more in Money and Democracy

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