Supplement execs have poured $4.5m into Romney’s campaign coffers

According to USA TODAY, more than two-thirds of the industry's contributions to federal candidates' main campaign accounts have gone to Republicans so far in this election, based on an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign money.

In the article​, in which Center for Science in the Public Interest senior nutritionist David Schardt describes the sector as operating in a “Wild West arena, where virtually anything goes​”, USA TODAY reviewed campaign news releases, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, invitations to 85 Romney fundraising events obtained by the non-partisan Sunlight Foundation; and news articles.

These showed that large donors to pro-Romney super PACs include Rex Maughan, the CEO of Forever Living; Miguel Fernandez, chairman of private equity firm MBF Healthcare Partners, whose portfolio includes supplement manufacturer Nutriforce Nutrition; David Lisonbee, CEO of 4Life Research; Steve Lund, co-founder of Nu Skin Enterprises; and Frank VanderSloot, who heads supplement and wellness firm Melaleuca.

While VanderSloot told the paper that Obama was “far off base in his understanding of what creates a healthy economy”​, representatives for Lisonbee and Lund stressed that their contributions were personal and not a reflection of the political views of their companies. The other executives were not available for comment.

Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) chief executive Steve Mister told USA TODAY that the CRN supports Democrats and Republicans in Congress who understand the industry and has taken no position on the presidential race.

Click here​ to read the USA TODAY article.