Super PACS Report Strong Fundraising

Two political action committees formed to raise and spend unlimited amounts independent of candidates reported raising more than $4.6 million since the beginning of the year, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

American Crossroads, which favors Republican candidates, raised $3.8 million, the bulk of which came from contributions by the former Univision chairman A. Jerrold Perenchio ($2 million) and two Texans, Robert B. Rowling ($1 million) and Bob Perry ($500,000), plus a handful of smaller donations.

The House Majority PAC, a newly formed “Super PAC” aimed at reclaiming a Democratic majority lost in the 2010 elections, said it raised $800,000 in its initial report to the F.E.C. on Thursday. Among its donors were the longtime liberal backers S. Donald Sussman ($150,000), Fred Eychaner ($100,000) and George Soros ($75,000), along with labor unions such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Communications Workers of America.

The committee also reported spending $483,000 on advertisements and phone banks opposing various Republican candidates first elected in 2010 as well as Jane L. Corwin, who lost a special election to fill a vacant House seat in New York. Although most political committees registered with the F.E.C. won’t file reports until July 15, the filings from both House Majority PAC and American Crossroads were set off by activity in the recent New York special House election.

Super PACs, House Majority PAC and American Crossroads can raise unlimited donations from individuals, unions and corporations because of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.