The political action committee of the international electrical workers union gave a jolt to members of Congress in December when it contributed over half a million dollars to their campaign committees.

The Int’l. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Committee reported it gave $589,500 to members of Congress and candidates in December. The PAC had receipts of $541,075 and disbursements of $918,438, leaving $1,092,839 cash on hand as of 12/31. In the 2011-2012 full cycle, the PAC had receipts of $9.8 million and gave out $3.9 million in contributions to federal candidates and committees, 98% of it to Democrats. View their 2011-2012 cycle financial profile.

The PAC gave $10,000 each to House candidate Alex Sink, D-Fla.; Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Texas; Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif.; Rep. Frank Lobiondo, R-N.J.; Senate candidate Natalie Tennant, D-W.Va.; Rep. James Matheson, D-Utah; House candidate Jim Mowrer, D-Iowa; Rep. Bradley Schneider, D-Ill.; and smaller amounts to other candidates.

The PAC also made $327,931 in other disbursements, including contributions to non-federal candidates. The PAC gave $151,000 to Quinn, D-Ill.; and $25,000 to Mark Herring for Attorney General, D-Va.; among other candidates.

The half million dollars in contributions from the electrical workers union is the largest amount reported by all PACs so far for December activity. Year-end reports are due to be filed by January 31st.

Other large amounts of contributions given have been reported by the National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. PAC $310,000; the Dealers Election Action Committee of the National Automotive Dealers Assn. $236,000; the National Beer Wholesalers Assn. PAC $212,000; the United Steelworkers Political Action Fund $185,000; Abbott Laboratories Employee PAC $160,500; AT&T Inc. Federal PAC $146,000; the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC $142,500; the Carpenters Legislative Improvement Committee $140,000; and United Parcel Service Inc. PAC $126,300.