Sonoma County billionaire Barbara Banke bypasses Trump while giving to other Republican candidates
- by Santa Rosa Press Democrat
- Oct 20, 2024
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In May, on its list of self-made women in the U.S., Forbes ranked Banke — a former high-powered land-use and constitutional law attorney — “and family” at number 15.
Based in Santa Rosa, Jackson Family Wines produces roughly 6 million cases a year in eight countries. Its flagship is Kendall-Jackson Winery, founded in 1982.
Banke also co-founded Stonestreet Farm, the Jackson family’s highly regarded equestrian racing stables and breeding program in Lexington, Kentucky. She currently serves as board chair for the Breeder’s Cup.
Kentucky is a focal point for much of her political spending, FEC filings show. This cycle she has donated $39,800 to Republican congressional candidates and associated political action committees based in the state.
Benefactors in the state have included Reps. Andy Barr and James Comer and Sen. Mitch McConnell.
She also donated $10,000 to the Kentucky State Democratic Central Executive Committee and $10,000 to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Political Action Committee.
But the latest financial reports also show that her total contributions have decreased significantly in the last three presidential election cycles.
During the 2015-16 cycle, Banke contributed just over $1.8 million to congressional candidates and PACs. In the 2019-20 cycle, her direct contributions dropped to $780,074. In the current cycle, her spending was down again by more than half.
Among the benefactors this cycle is a small group of Democratic recipients. She has consistently given to longtime North Bay Rep. Mike Thompson, whose district takes in all of Napa and Lake counties and part of Sonoma County, and who has long been a legislative champion of the wine industry, co-leading the congressional wine caucus. In this cycle, his campaign received $3,300 from Banke, records show. The maximum direct contribution to federal candidates per cycle is $6,600.
The campaigns of Democratic Reps. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky and David Trone of Maryland also received $3,300 each.
Last year, McGarvey, who represents Louisville, home to the famed horse racing track Churchill Downs, worked with Rep. Barr of Kentucky on legislation that would provide more favorable tax benefits to racehorse owners.
Trone, who lost a primary bid for Senate this year, is an alcoholic beverage magnate ― the founder and co-owner of retail chain Total Wine and More.
Outside of Thompson, Banke has donated $3,300 this cycle to seven California congressional candidates, all Republicans.
A perhaps more noteworthy outlier was a $32,900 donation Banke made in 2023 to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee connected predominantly with state Democratic parties across the country.
While Banke is among the top donors to Republicans in Sonoma County, where Democrats far outnumber Republicans, her political giving has been swamped locally by the wave of donations to Democratic candidates and causes, including Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
Democratic candidates for federal office, state parties and committees have received at least $11.4 million from Sonoma County donors, while Republicans have received just $1.6 million, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that tracks federal campaign spending.
You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MurphReports.
You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @pressreno.
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