PACs hedging bets in Heller-Berkley Senate race

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 | 2:17 p.m.

Three dozen political action committees have given to both Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley and Republican Sen. Dean Heller in 2011 -- some on the same day or within days – illuminating just how close the Nevada Senate race is expected to be next year.

Some of the having-it-both-ways folks are, not surprisingly, locals, with MGM Resorts maxing out to both with pairs of $5,000 contributions given on the same days. The lion roars for both, equally.

As you will see below, where I have detailed the when and how much for both contenders, most of the bet-hedging came after the candidates announced for the U.S. Senate – Heller declared his candidacy on March 15 and Berkley on April 14.

Sure, there were some who will dance with the ones they always have – labor and medical PACs with Berkley and business PACs (yes, Democrats, oil, too) with Heller. But many others, realizing this is a toss-up state, will pay off both sides.

This is going to be a very expensive cycle in Nevada for PACs and moneyed folks.

UPDATE: A new poll shows just why this is occurring.

AFLAC

Berkley $1,500 on 3/8, $3,500 on 4/26

Heller: $1,000 on 4/26

Ambulatory Surgery Centers PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 3/17

Heller: $1,000 on 4/14

American College of Surgeons Professional Associates PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 2/15

Heller: $2,500 on 3/9

American Dental Association PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on 5/17

Heller: $1,500 on 5/25

American Gas Association PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 4/14

Heller: $1,000 on 8/01

American Resort Development PAC

Berkley: $2,175 on 3/09, $2,500 on 5/25

Heller: $2,500 on 6/7

American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 3/2

Heller: $5,000 on 3/23

AmeriSource Bergen PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on $7/11 (another $2,500 made and returned)

Heller: $$2,500 on 4/11, $2,500 on 7/11, $1,000 on 9/29

Arent Fox PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 3/7

Heller: $1,000 on 3/28

AT & T PAC

Berkley: $1,500 on 9/9

Heller: $3,000 on 5/31

BARRICK PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 2/18, $1,500 on 5/24

Heller: $2,500 on 2/18, $2,500 on 5/24

Boyd Gaming PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 2/14, $5,000 on 6/27

Heller: $5,000 on 6/27

Build PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 8/18

Heller: $1,000 on 8/18

Caesars Entertainment PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 3/25

Heller: $5,000 on 3/28

CalPortland PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 3/1

Heller: $5,000 on 3/29

CenturyLink PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on 3/16

Heller: $2,500 on 4/7, $2,500 on 6/22

Comcast PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on 3/29

Heller: $2,500 on 6/10

COX PAC

Berkley: $1,500 on 3/11

Heller: $1,000 on 6/15

National Auto Dealers PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 3/15

Heller: $5,000 on 4/5

Fertitta Entertainment PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 3/9, $5,000 on 8/30

Heller: $10,000 on 3/7

Fidelity PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 3/24

Heller: $2,500 on 1/10

Genentech PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 5/10

Heller: $1,000 on 6/27

GE PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 3/24

Heller: $1,000 on 6/16

Greenberg Traurig PAC

Berkley: $2,000 on 6/1

Heller: $2,000 on 5/11

HCA PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 2/12, $1,000 on 6/7, $1,000 on 6/19

Heller: $1,000 on 8/24

HEARPAC

Berkley: $1,500 on 3/17, $1,500 on 5/25

Heller: $1,000 on 3/31, $1,000 on 6/23

HILTON PAC

Berkley: $1,500 on 5/3

Heller: $1,500 on 6/24

HSBC PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on 3/17, $2,500 on 4/15

Heller: $$5,000 on 4/11

IGT PAC

Berkley: $10,000 on 4/12

Heller: $2,500 on 3/18, $5,000 on 6/30

Lionel, Sawyer and Collins PAC

Berkley: $4,800 on 2/23

Heller: $2,500 on 6/2

MGM Resorts PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 1/6, $5,000 on 7/25

Heller: $5,000 on 1/6, $5,000 on 7/25

National Association of Real Estate Trust Investments PAC

Berkley: $2,175 on 3/3

Heller: $2,500 on 3/30

NV Energy PAC

Berkley: $5,000 on 1/18, $5,000 on 3/22

Heller: $5,000 on 3/22

Ortho surgeons PAC

Berkley: $1,000 on 3/29

Heller: $5,000 on 2/23

Union Pacific PAC

Berkley: $1,500 on 3/15

Heller: $5,000 on 3/15

Wine and Sprits Wholesalers PAC

Berkley: $2,500 on 5/23

Heller: $2,500 on 4/18