The sector includes local and long distance telephone companies, communications equipment makers, broadcasters, cable operators and entertainment companies. Republicans stand to gain a substantial number of seats in both the House and Senate. Political strategists say there's an outside chance the GOP could regain control of both. The battle for the heart and soul of the local loop is reflected in the PAC spending patterns.
Incumbents usually reap the lion's share of the contributions.
This group includes Hollywood, which traditionally favors Democratic candidates. Fields is the ranking minority member on the Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee. Markey doesn't accept PAC donations. Burns, elected in 1988 with 52 percent of the vote, is in a hotly contested battle for his job. Legislators and PAC officials insist campaign contributions don't influence votes or buy favors.