WASHINGTON - A political action committee is a fund created by business, labor unions, ideological groups or politicians to make contributions to candidates or campaigns.

The Federal Election Commission has 3,865 PACs registered. The biggest group, about 40 percent of the total, is connected to companies, such as Procter & Gamble or Cinergy.

Recent years have seen an explosion in leadership PACs — fund-raising committees that members of Congress or other politicians set up to raise and spread money.

Leadership PACs number several hundred, with about 160 are actively raising and spending money this election year.

Most members with leadership PACs occupy “safe” seats and use their PAC money to support other candidates from their own party.

By forming PACs, members of Congress can raise and spend more money than they could through their primary re-election committees. Individual candidate committees are limited to accepting $1,000 per contributor per year. But PACs can accept up to $5,000 from individuals or other PACs.

Local leadership PACs

Greater Cincinnati members with leadership PACs, based on filings available Sept. 30:

Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio

PAC name: Ohio Star 17 PAC.

Money raised this election cycle: $347,000.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $74,000.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio

PAC name: Buckeye PAC.

Money raised this election cycle: $39,000.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $2,000.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

PAC name: Bluegrass Committee.

Money raised this election cycle: $412,000.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $160,000.

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

PAC name: Americans for Responsible Leadership.

Money raised this election cycle: $392,000.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $141,000.

Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio

PAC name: Freedom Project.

Money raised this election cycle: $1.1 million.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $436,000.

Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio

PAC name: America's Majority Trust.

Money raised this election cycle: $410,000.

Money given to candidates this election cycle: $105,000.

Sources: Center for Responsive Politics, Federal Election Commission

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