Only 158 families are behind more than half of the funding for the presidential candidates
- Wealthy elite have contributed $176million in the race for the White House
- Most made their money in finance or energy and are white and middle class
- The majority live in affluent neighborhoods in Florida and Texas
- More than 50 members of these families have made the Forbes 400 list of top billionaires
- Three families behind the largest donations have backed Ted Cruz
Just 158 families are behind half of the funding in the race for the White House.
An investigation by the New York Times found the wealthy elite have contributed $176million in the early stages of the campaign, and most of the money goes to Republicans.
Those who have given the large amounts to candidates made their money in finance or energy and are mostly white, middle class businessmen.
The 158 families each contributed $250,000 or more in the campaign as of June 30, according to data from the Federal Election Commission.
Farris Wilks, who made billions providing trucks and equipment in the shale fields, have put more than $15million into the presidential race - mostly backing Republican hopeful Ted Cruz
An additional 200 families gave more than $100,000.
The majority of the wealthy families live in Florida or Texas and give money to politicians who have served in office there.
Two of the top donors live on Indian Creek Island Road near Miami - the most expensive street in the United States that has just 35 homes surrounding a golf course.
Dallas' Preston Hollow neighborhood, home to former President George W. Bush, accounts for nearly $13 million, the Times reported.
The three families who have provided the largest donations in the campaign to date have backed Ted Cruz
According to the Times, the Wilks family of Texas, which made billions providing trucks and equipment in the shale fields and the Mercers of New York, headed by the hedge fund investor Bob Mercer have backed the Tea Party candidate.
Toby Neugebauer, a Texas-born private equity investor is also supporting the senator.
New York hedge fund investor Bob Mercer (left) is also backing Cruz. Joe Ricketts, the CEO of The American Film Company and part of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, has piled more than $5million into the race
Large sums have also gone to Jeb Bush, who has used his family and political connections in both Florida, where he was governor, and Texas, where his brother George held the same office.
Toby Neugebauer, a Texas-born private equity investor is also supporting senator Cruz
More than 50 members of the families have made the Forbes 400 list of top billionaires in the United States.
For example, Chicago hedge fund billionaire Kenneth C. Griffiin earns about $68.5 million a month after taxes, according to court filings made by his wife in their divorce.
He has given a total of $300,000 to groups backing Republican presidential candidates.
Descendants of the late gambler and oil speculator H.L. Hunt, who was once the richest man in America, have given more than $2million to Bush.
Hedge fund investor George Soros, who earned $1 billion in a bet against the British pound in 1992, is a prominent liberal donor and philanthropist who has given $1 million to a super PAC backing Hillary Clinton.
His partner on the trade, Stanley F. Druckenmiller, is now a prominent hedge fund manager and is close to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
He has put more than $300,000 behind Christie, Bush and Governor John R. Kasich of Ohio.
Joe Ricketts, the CEO of The American Film Company and part of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, has piled more than $5million into the race
Two of the top donors live on Indian Creek Island Road (pictured) near Miami - the most expensive street in the United States that has just 35 homes surrounding a golf course
Large sums have also gone to Jeb Bush, who has used his family and political connections in both Florida, where he was governor, and Texas, where his brother George held the same office
Most watched News videos
- Mission to rescue the 12 Thai boys from the cave begins
- Theresa May addresses David Davis and Boris Johnson resignations
- Shocking footage shows Spanish police beating England fans in Spain
- Cyclist hits motorist's car with bike in shocking road rage attack
- Thai villagers amazed to wake up to Boeing 747 in nearby field
- Hilarious moment cat crashes Polish historian interview on Dutch TV
- Frank Skinner puts T-shirt over his head and sings 'Three Lions'
- Clintons spotted flying commercial from Washington to New York
- The life of 1950s Hollywood icon tab Hunter on film
- 'David Davis was one of the great Brexit architects': Jeremy Hunt
- David Davis resigns as Brexit Secretary in a major blow to May
- 'You're not coming' Princess Charlotte to photographers at christening
- Chilling moment human trafficker abducts a little girl by...
- Final four Thai cave boys and coach are in 'good health'...
- Hollywood hostage actor who lost his eye, had nose and...
- PIERS MORGAN: London's mayor should spend more time...
- Barclays Bank worker accused of trying to drain £300,000...
- EXCLUSIVE - 'I'll be alone on my sofa at home cheering...
- Feline intuition: Cats at daycare center run for cover...
- Historically bad: Orioles' Chris Davis on pace to finish...
- 'Trump ruined my picnic!': The moment two Osprey...
- Mother of murdered Alesha MacPhail pays tribute to her...
- Daredevil free jumper plummets 112ft into a flooded...
- Motorist, 32, 'was on the phone to his wife seconds...
- 'The kid is f**ked up': Police bodycam reveals the moment...
- Family judge 'was forced to install a panic button in her...
- Male nurse, 24, dies after falling 500ft at Grand Canyon...
- EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: Troubled actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers...
- BBC airs report about Trump called 'Is the President a...
- We the people: Bill and Hillary Clinton fly commercial...