WASHINGTON – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton took more campaign cash from well-heeled lobbyists this year than any lawmaker except one, an analysis of Washington’s influence industry reveals.
Clinton raked in $418,000 from lobbyists this year, including $68,000 from political-action committees that lobbyist firms set up to cut big checks to political campaigns.
The only lawmaker who raised more from lobbyists was Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who faces one of the toughest re-election fights in the country.
The congressional watchdog group Public Citizen researched the lobbyist donations.
Clinton is among an elite group of just 18 lawmakers who have raised more than $500,000 from lobbyists during their careers.