Will Ted Cruz Super-PACs Usher in New Frontier of Donor Influence?

Now big donors can go super-PAC shopping.

MERRIMACK, NH - MARCH 27: U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks at a Conservative Business League of New Hampshire Rally March 27, 2015 in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Cruz is the first politician to have officially announced his run for president in the upcoming election. *** Local Caption *** Ted Cruz
Photographer: Darren McCollester

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By Julie Bykowicz and Heidi Przybyla

April 9, 2015 at 9:30 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The four super-PACs preparing to give a $31 million boost to the presidential hopes of Texas Senator Ted Cruz represent the latest twist in the infiltration of big money in politics—and a way for wealthy donors to have an even more direct say in how their money is spent.

One of the constellation of committees first reported Wednesday by Bloomberg appears to be underwritten by Republican mega-donor Robert Mercer and his family. Campaign lawyers said the arrangement is unlike anything they've ever seen before.