Key Takeaways
- • Ares Management distributed $116,434 in individual contributions to federal candidates during the 2018 election cycle, with 100% of funds sourced from individuals rather than PACs.
- • Democratic candidates received 59.72% ($69,534) of total contributions, while Republican candidates received 40.28% ($46,900), demonstrating a clear partisan lean toward Democratic recipients.
- • Incumbent candidates captured 83.17% ($96,834) of total contributions compared to non-incumbents at 16.83% ($19,600), reflecting a strategic focus on established political figures.
- • Senate candidates were the primary beneficiaries, receiving $64,109 across 12 recipients (9 Democrats, 3 Republicans), while House candidates received $32,725 across 17 recipients (5 Democrats, 12 Republicans).
- • Top individual recipients included Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) with $21,600 and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) with $18,900, alongside Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) with $13,526.
Summary
Ares Management, a global alternative asset manager founded in 1997 and managing approximately $360 billion in assets under management as of March 2023, engaged in federal political contributions during the 2018 election cycle. According to OpenSecrets data, the firm's principals and employees distributed $116,434 in aggregate contributions exclusively through individual donations, with no contributions channeled through corporate PACs.
The contribution pattern reveals a pronounced Democratic preference, with 59.72% of total funds directed to Democratic candidates compared to 40.28% for Republicans. This partisan distribution reflects broader trends among alternative investment firms regarding political engagement. Notably, 83.17% of contributions targeted incumbent candidates, underscoring a preference for established legislative relationships over electoral challengers—a common strategy among firms seeking to maintain regulatory and legislative access.
Senate races attracted disproportionate attention and funding relative to House races. Democratic senators received $43,709 across nine recipients (averaging $4,856 per member), while Republican senators received $20,400 across three recipients (averaging $6,800 per member). By contrast, House contributions totaled $32,725 to Democrats (5 members at $2,385 average) and $20,800 to Republicans (12 members at $1,733 average). This concentration in Senate funding aligns with the influence held by upper chamber committees on regulatory and tax policy affecting alternative asset managers.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) emerged as the single largest recipient with $21,600, followed by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) at $18,900 and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at $13,526. The selection of these recipients—particularly Manchin, whose pivotal Senate position on finance-related matters provides significant leverage—demonstrates strategic targeting of politically influential figures. The firm's leadership team, including co-presidents Blair Jacobson and Kipp deVeer, maintained active involvement in the political process during this period.
The contribution pattern reveals a pronounced Democratic preference, with 59.72% of total funds directed to Democratic candidates compared to 40.28% for Republicans. This partisan distribution reflects broader trends among alternative investment firms regarding political engagement. Notably, 83.17% of contributions targeted incumbent candidates, underscoring a preference for established legislative relationships over electoral challengers—a common strategy among firms seeking to maintain regulatory and legislative access.
Senate races attracted disproportionate attention and funding relative to House races. Democratic senators received $43,709 across nine recipients (averaging $4,856 per member), while Republican senators received $20,400 across three recipients (averaging $6,800 per member). By contrast, House contributions totaled $32,725 to Democrats (5 members at $2,385 average) and $20,800 to Republicans (12 members at $1,733 average). This concentration in Senate funding aligns with the influence held by upper chamber committees on regulatory and tax policy affecting alternative asset managers.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) emerged as the single largest recipient with $21,600, followed by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) at $18,900 and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at $13,526. The selection of these recipients—particularly Manchin, whose pivotal Senate position on finance-related matters provides significant leverage—demonstrates strategic targeting of politically influential figures. The firm's leadership team, including co-presidents Blair Jacobson and Kipp deVeer, maintained active involvement in the political process during this period.
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