Some of the country’s wealthiest Republican donors are targeting Senate and House races around the country, hoping a financial firewall will protect the party’s congressional majorities on Nov. 8. Their investments — helping fuel a record haul by super PACs this year — reflect a fear prevalent throughout the party: that Trump’s contentious candidacy threatens an electoral rout up and down the ballot.
The defense system is up and running in Ohio, where a super PAC supporting incumbent Sen. Rob Portman against Democratic challenger Ted Strickland has attracted contributions from a who’s who list of heavyweight contributors. Along with Singer, who gave $750,000, the Fighting for Ohio Fund has been buoyed by six-figure checks from Chicago hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin, Boston investor Seth Klarman and Florida-based homebuilder Dwight Schar.