These 8 Republican Sugar Daddies Are Already Placing Their Bets on 2016

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The 2016 election is more than a year and a half away, but conservative megadonors are already picking their favorite candidates:

Megadonor	2016 pick	Meeting of the minds
Norman Braman Billionaire car dealer and former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles	Marco Rubio	Rubio is “the candidate of today and tomorrow,” Braman tells Mother Jones. “Read his book and you’ll see.”
Robert Mercer Hedge Fund magnate and the owner of a $2 million model train set	Ted Cruz	Mercer’s firm has been accused of dodging $6 billion in taxes; Cruz has mused about abolishing the IRS.
Foster Friess Crocodile hunting mutual fund financier	Rick Santorum	Friess, who joked about aspirin’s contraceptive powers while backing Santorum in 2012, told the Washington Post, “I am clearly in the Santorum camp.”
Larry Ellison Founder of Oracle and owner of a private Hawaiian island	Rubio	Ellison is holding a big-ticket fundraiser for the candidate at his $200 million Japanese-style Silicon Valley estate.*
Ken Langone Home Depot cofounder who once said, “I’m nuts, I’m rich, and boy, do I love a fight!”	Chris Christie	Langone, who initially supported Christie in 2012, has offered to build a bridge between his donor network and the New Jersey governor.
Sheldon Adelson Casino tycoon who dropped more than $93 million to defeat Obama in 2012	Rubio…maybe	Adelson has received visits from Rubio, but is staying coy. His spokesman told Politico, “He’s going to keep his powder dry until he needs to weigh in.”
Charles and David Koch Billionaire bros who have vowed to spend $900 million in 2016	Scott Walker…maybe	David Koch reportedly likes Walker’s chances, but the brothers plan to hold “auditions” for GOP candidates this summer.

Correction: This story originally reported that Ellison had held a fundraiser for Rand Paul and may back him. Politico reports that Paul only attended the event and Ellison has committed to Rubio.