PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - One of the most influential people in Maine politics is somebody most people have probably never seen, or even heard of. Donald Sussman is president and founder of a large investment fund. But for years he's also been the leading donor to the Maine Democratic Party and a number of political causes in the state.
This year, Sussman married Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, which has made him a favorite target of Republicans.
Sussman grew up in Miami, made his fortune in the New York investment world, and is now a legal resident of North Haven, Maine, meaning he's also a Maine taxpayer. "The first time I sent my check into the state treasury," says Sussman, "(Governor) Baldacci called me right up and thanked me. I haven't heard from Governor LePage."
That may not be surprising. Shortly after building a vacation home in Maine in the mid-1990, Sussman says he began donating to the Democratic Party.
In 1998, he helped finance a referendum campaign against clear-cutting. Since that time, Sussman has also been a frequent donor to other causes, from environmental issues to gay marriage to this fall's "people's veto" campaign over Election Day voter registration.
Over the years, he says, he has donated millions of dollars to causes, candidates and the party. That has earned him substantial criticism from Republican leaders and conservative groups.
Sussman says all his donations are public, and points the finger back at conservative donors. "A lot of money", he says, "but nothing compared to what the Koch's (national conservative donors) pour in here without disclosing who they are."
He also criticizes summer resident Ed Bosarge, a significant Republican donor, for not paying income taxes in Maine. Bosarge is a resident of Texas.
Sussman may be known as a political donor, but says politics is a small part of his philanthropy. He says he gives larger amounts to education, research and civic causes in Maine and elsewhere. His generosity won two Maine awards this year. Sussman was honored by the Spurwink Services as the organizations Humanitarian of the Year. He also received an award for philanthropy from Colby College.
Sussman's biggest headline of the year, however, may have been for his marriage in June to Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Sussman says they now make decisions on political and other donations together. "We truly reflect what I think and we think are Maine's values.", says Sussman.