George Soros made it clear on Thursday who has his support in the 2016 presidential campaign.
The major liberal donor joined forces with Ready for Hillary, a super PAC aimed at swaying the former U.S. secretary of state to once again make a bid for the White House.
The political action committee announced via Twitter his new role as a co-chair on its national finance council.
We are proud to welcome George Soros as one of the co-chairs of @ReadyForHillary's national finance council.
— Ready for Hillary (@ReadyForHillary) October 24, 2013
Soros has pledged $25,000 to the political group. As one of the most high-profile backers, Soros’ involvement may encourage other supporters to open their wallets for the cause.
“George Soros is delighted to join more than one million Americans in supporting Ready for Hillary. His support for Ready for Hillary is an extension of his long held belief in the power of grassroots organizing,” Michael Vachon, Soros’ political director, said in an emailed statement to MSNBC.
The 83-year-old is known for being a heavy financial backer of Democrats and progressive causes. In the 2004 election, he donated upwards of $27 million to various organizations in an effort to defeat George W. Bush’s re-election campaign. He also contributed large sums to Obama’s campaign efforts.
Clinton, of course, hasn’t announced her formal intentions for 2016 just yet. Earlier this month, she said that she will begin “seriously” considering a bid “sometime next year.” And her personal Twitter profile coyly mentions her “TBD” future plans. After leaving President’s Obama’s cabinet, she’s been focused on paid speaking engagements and writing a book.
Early polling indicates if Clinton decided to go for it, she would have the Democratic nomination locked up. A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed Clinton with 61% support among voters and Vice President Biden, another potential candidate, coming in at a distant second with 11% of the vote.
Ready for Hillary, which isn’t formally affiliated with Clinton, was started in January 2013 by two enthusiastic volunteers. Now the group reportedly has more than 20,000 donors and more than one million Facebook fans.
Sarah Muller