They have enough money to buy anything they want: Palatial homes, luxury cars, diamonds as big as the Ritz.
But what many New York billionaires want as the 2016 race for president fires up is influence – and they’re sizing up the field as shrewdly as they run the businesses that made them mega-rich.
“Everyone wants to pick a winner,” says John Catsimatidis, who has an estimated net worth of more than $3 billion and has recently hosted a parade of potential White House candidates at his home, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and ex-Govs. Rick Perry of Texas and George Pataki of New York.
Next on the guest list for real estate and grocery mogul Catsimatidis, who raised for Mitt Romney in 2012, is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — although Catsimatidis noted he’s supported Democrat Hillary Clinton for years and has “done a few things for her currently, because I think she has a lot of common sense.”
But support from “superdonors” can be a double-edged sword for candidates who claim to fight for those who can’t afford a car elevator (like Romney).
“Having a billionaire behind you helps with credibility, because the ultra-rich are seen as smart and accomplished. But having their support can be problematic if your policy stances make it look like you are under the thumb of the rich,” says the Brookings Institution’s Darrell West, author of “Billionaires: Reflections on the Upper Crust.”
When it comes to “billionaire activism,” West notes, “the key differential is by party: In 2012, 80% of the large contributions to superPACs went to Republicans. Democrats may get buried by GOP cash in 2016.”
Enter industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch, identified by Forbes as New York’s wealthiest men thanks to an estimated net worth of about $41 billion.
The Kochs have yet to throw themselves behind a single candidate. But they lead a network of high-roller donors that plans to hurl close to $900 million into the 2016 campaign. The brothers seek, spokesman Matt Lloyd told the Daily News, “to further a more free society by advancing ideas and policies that help people improve their lives, especially the most disadvantaged.”
Another New York power player, hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, raised heavily for Romney in the last cycle, has been reported as still uncommitted for 2016, while a fellow local billionaire, Home Depot’s Ken Langone, has said he’s “all in” for Christie.
This isn’t to say all the action is on the Republican side: The pro-Clinton “Ready for Hillary” 2016 draft PAC has already received the maximum $25,000 donation from local members of the ten-figure club, including financier George Soros.
“Hillary will be able to count on supporters from all walks of life, should she run for president,” said “Ready” PAC spokesman Seth Bringman. “We have sought to show her that both small-dollar and large-dollar donors will be ready, because it will take everyone’s effort to help her win.”
One man who moves in Clinton’s social and philanthropic circles, but has yet to officially place a bet on the 2016 race: Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“I am sure when we have 2016 news to share, we will,” said Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser.
Also sitting on the sidelines is presidential-campaign flirt — and $4-billion man — Donald Trump.
The real magnate told the News that “many presidential candidates have asked me to endorse them,” but says he’ll be “making my own decision” on that soon — and that could include placing a bet on himself.
With ckatz@nydailynews.com
