Industry contributions to federal candidates, political parties, and outside spending groups reached $5.9 million in 2014, its highest total ever during a nonpresidential election cycle. Slightly more than half of its contributions to candidates and party committees went to the Republican Party.
Top contributors include Bollinger Shipyards, an American constructor of ships; Kirby Corp, the largest tank barge operator in the United States; and Carnival Corp, the world's largest cruise ship operator. Of the three, Carnival was the only contributor that gave more to the Democratic Party.
Industry favorites include Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who sits on the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.), who lost her race in 2014 but at one time chaired the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Each received over $140,000 in contributions.