Sen. Pat Roberts collects $2.7 million from PACs for his re-election effort in Kansas

Sen. Pat Roberts’ campaign committee has collected nearly half of its cash from political action committees representing hundreds of interest groups, new disclosures show.

Through Oct. 15, the Kansas Republican had received $2.7 million from PACs, including committees representing banks, drug companies, insurers and farming companies. The Federal Election Commission lists more than 800 PAC donations, although some committees may have given more than once.

Federal law prohibits most PACs from giving more than $5,000 to any single campaign.

The incumbent has raised $5.6 million for his re-election effort, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Roberts’ opponent, independent Greg Orman, has not accepted PAC donations. He has given or lent his own campaign committee $1.8 million through Oct. 20, FEC disclosures show.

Roberts has not donated to his own campaign.

Roberts has outspent Orman by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. The Republican has enjoyed a similar advantage among outside groups, which can spend unlimited amounts on independent campaign ads and mailers.

Total spending in the race, including outside groups and the primary, is now approaching $20 million, a record in the state.

Polls show the race remains close. A Survey USA/KSN-TV poll released Tuesday showed Orman leading Roberts by a 2-point margin, 44 percent to 42 percent. Orman’s lead is within the poll’s margin of error.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Sen. Pat Roberts collects $2.7 million from PACs for his re-election effort in Kansas."