The DeVos Family has contributed over half a million dollars in this election cycle

As we have reported in previous months, the DeVos family continues to be a major financial funder in the 2012 elections.

According to the most recent data from the Center for Responsive Politics, the DeVos family has contributed collectively just over a half a million dollars so far in the 2012 election cycle – $571,000. However, it is important to note that this is just the amount they have collectively contributed from the 49503 zip code and we all know that most of them have multiple homes in multiple locations.

Here is a breakdown of the DeVos Family 2012 Election cycle contributions:

Dan DeVos                        $87,800

Richard DeVos            $85,900

Dick DeVos                        $71,800

Betsy DeVos                        $70,800

Pam DeVos                        $68,300

Helen DeVos                        $62,900

Doug DeVos                        $62,800

Maria DeVos                        $58,300

Rick DeVos                        $2,500

The DeVos family members have also used a variety of titles and affiliations when making contributions such as Amway, Alticor, The Windquest Group, RDV Corp, The Orlando Magic, DP Fox Venture, Self-Employed and my favorite…….homemaker. Betsy DeVos actually referred to herself as a homemaker.

By posting this information on how much money the DeVos family has contributed to the 2012 election cycle is not just to make a point about their desire to influence the outcome of the elections, it is also to acknowledge that this is just one tactic they use to influence economic and political policy.

The DeVos family has inserted themselves in many other capacities in order to influence and benefit from political and economic policy, such as owning prime property in downtown Grand Rapids, owning sports teams, funding cultural events, sitting on the board of the Right Place, being part of the Econ Club of Grand Rapids, the One Kent Coalition, the West Michigan Policy Forum, Grand Action and the Regional Air Alliance of West Michigan.

This of course is not an exhaustive list of where DeVos family members or their money is involved, but it does remind us of how much power they wield in West Michigan and why that power must be challenged.