Arkansas is a small state with less than 1% of the US population. It’s also a poor state, with the lowest average income and highest poverty rates in the country. But when it comes to the ultra-rich elite that fuels the American political advertising machine, we are overrepresented.

Five of the top 50 individual donors this election cycle are from Arkansas. Together, they distributed at least $77 million to candidates, parties, super PACs and similar groups in 2023 and 2024, the vast majority of which went to support conservative candidates and causes.

This is according to OpenSecrets.org’s newly updated listA nonprofit organization that compiles figures on spending and donations by so-called “outside” political organizations, that is, groups that operate (theoretically) independently of any candidate’s campaign. Outside groups include super PACs, party committees, 501(c) organizations and more; each of these follows a different set of rules regarding donations, expenses, and disclosures. Especially in the past 14 years, they have begun to play an important role in elections. The US Supreme Court’s groundbreaking Citizens United decision.

Little Rock’s Warren StephensThe chairman and CEO of Stephens Inc. ranks first among Arkansas donors with $21.2 million in gifts in 2023 and 2024, all to conservative groups.

Stephens is worth it estimated $3.3 billionHe has adopted an ecumenical approach towards Republican presidential candidates. This cycle he gave $1 million to former Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s unsuccessful bid for the White House and spent millions to prevent Donald Trump from winning the nomination in 2016. But Stephens has since come around. He was among a small group of wealthy donors invited to dine with Trump at his Manhattan penthouse in September; where the former president aggressively pushed them to open their wallets more. According to The New York Times.

It’s no surprise that three of the Arkansans on the list are heirs to the oceanfront Walmart fortune. Rob Walton $17 million donated to super PACs and other outside groups; of that, all but $133,000 went to OpenSecrets’ causes described as “conservative.” Americans for Prosperity. sister-in-law, Lynne Waltonwho is married to Jim Waltongave almost $12.5 million. Alice WaltonThe philanthropist behind Crystal Bridges has donated more than $10 million. (They’re all billionaires, According to Forbes.)

Then there’s the poultry baron Ron Cameron and his wife, Nina. Cameron, owner and president of Mountaire Farms, has donated more than $16.4 million this election cycle. The Guardian recently reported He said Cameron gave $465,000 this year to groups opposing the Arkansas Abortion Amendment, more than any other donor.

OpenSecrets data probably doesn’t come close to covering all of the political donations of the super-rich. “Dark money” nonprofitsFor example, you don’t have to let them know who donated. Money may be transferred through shell companies, foundations and other organizations. And not all of the donations pouring in across the country during the election may be captured.

However large the donations from the Stephens, Walton and Cameron families are, they are dwarfed by the donations at the top of the national list. Banking heir Timothy Mellon has donated nearly $172 million this cycle, mostly to Republicans. Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, donated $136 million. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, gave at least $76 million to elect Donald Trump, according to OpenSecrets.

For Musk, the real number will certainly be higher than that; perhaps much higher. Fortune magazine reported last week Musk has reportedly given at least $132 million to elect Republicans this year, showing the limits of OpenSecrets data.