Money-back Guarantee

A catalog queen gets her money's worth.

#197 Lillian Vernon, 70, Greenwich, Conn. Party: D. $124,060 total contributions.

View Vernon's itemized contributions.

Lillian Vernon heads a $238 million mail-order business. And, having donated $239,000 to the DNC since Clinton's election in 1992, she publicizes her many presidential invitations (including -- yes -- a night in the Lincoln Bedroom) in her biography, An Eye for Winners. Both sides benefit, of course. Madison Avenue calls it "cross-marketing." Vernon stumps for the president, and the first lady has recalled in at least one speech her days in Arkansas flipping through the pages of the Lillian Vernon catalog. You can probably get a copy of the speech ... C.O.D., of course.

Photo Credit: Lillian Vernon Corp.

Browse
The full Mother Jones 400 list.

Profiles
Meet the people with political pull.

Individuals
Search the top 400 political donors by name, industry, state, or contribution amount.

Itemized Contributions
The details of every donation, searchable by donor, recipient, date, amount, and more.

Money & Politics
Is campaign finance reform the way to a better government?