(Melina Mara/The Washington Post)With the 2018 midterms fast approaching, wealthy donors are opening their wallets for the parties and super PACs in anticipation of a crucial election year. Shipping magnate Richard Uihlein is among the leading individual donors in the cycle thus far, giving at least $17 million to the Republican National Committee and super PACs supporting Republican candidates, according to new Federal Election Commission filings Tuesday evening. Since Election Day in November 2016, the committee has spent nearly $400,000 at properties owned by the president's family. In January, the RNC spent $77,417 at Trump properties, including the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., and Trump International Hotel in Washington. Read more:Pro-Trump groups paid tens of thousands to Trump’s D.C. hotel and former campaign aidesRepublican National Committee has huge financial edge heading into 2018 midterms

Source: Washington Post February 21, 2018 03:50 UTC