The Koch brothers are the most influential American billionaires, according to a new book by the director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution.
In an upcoming book, “Billionaires: Reflections on the Upper Crust,” Darrell West put Charles and David Koch in the top spot for political clout held by 25 of the most politically active billionaires.
In part, that was because they have already spent more than $30 million on Republican candidates in the 2014 Senate races — a number expected to rise to $290 million by November.
The ranking comes as Democrats are engaged in an effort to turn the Koch brothers’ influence against them in the midterm elections.
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg was named second most influential billionaire. Bloomberg is known for his policy work to combat gun violence and immigration reform, among other issues. According to West, he has spent $650 million on his political campaigns, advocacy activities and philanthropy.
Hedge fund manager and climate change champion Tom Steyer, and business magnates Sheldon Adelson and George Soros round out the top five, in that order.
There is only one woman listed who isn’t paired with her husband: Alice Walton, one of the heirs to the Walmart fortunes and an early backer of Hillary Clinton possible 2016 presidential bid.
Currently, the U.S. has 492 billionaires who control more than $2 trillion among themselves.
The book, available Sept. 18, will specifically analyze the “growing political activism of billionaires and how they have created more activist forms of politics and philanthropy based on their net worth.”
