Which super PACs started 2013 with the most cash?

Introduction

Fresh off the first presidential election since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, super PACs aren’t expected to stay idle for long.

According to a new Center for Public Integrity analysis, only seven super PACs started 2013 with more than $1 million in the bank. But they won’t have that problem for long.

Super PACs have shown an ability to raise millions of dollars in a moment’s notice, then spend it just as quickly. This makes them uniquely nimble — and powerful — political forces during any point in an election cycle.

Which groups have the most cash in reserve? The answer might surprise you.

Seven of the top 10 super PACs with the most money in the bank are aligned with Democrats, and the super PAC with the most cash reserves at the start of January belonged to the United Auto Workers, which rolled over nearly $9 million.

Check out the full list here.

Why is 2013 an important year for campaign finance? Dave Levinthal and Michael Beckel will answer that, and many other questions about the money-in-politics world in a live chat on Monday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. ET.