Ernst, Don

Individual

Also gave $45K to joint fundraising committees. That isn't in the totals here, because those committees pass the money on to others.

Grouped by the exact name reported to the FEC, which has no ID for individual donors. Other people with this name may be included.

Total Contributed

$296K

Contributions

272

Recipients

Active Period

1999–2026

Donor Profile

Party Lean

D $215KR $5K

Top States

CA$196K

DC$13K

IA$5K

CT$4K

NY$4K

Giving Trend

↓ 58%

2025–2026 vs 2023–2024

Employer

ERNST LAW GROUP

Summary

Ernst, Don is an individual political donor based in CA. They have contributed $296K across 272 contributions to 88 recipients. Their average contribution is $1K. Top recipients include SALUD CARBAJAL FOR CONGRESS, FRIENDS OF LOIS CAPPS, JULIA BROWNLEY FOR CONGRESS. Their political giving spans from the 2000 to the 2026 election cycle, with peak giving of $77K in 2024.

Giving Pattern by Cycle

Contribution amounts per election cycle, colored by recipient party

All Recipients

Committees and candidates receiving contributions, all cycles

#	Name	Party	State	Total	Contributions
1	SALUD CARBAJAL FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$35,800	24
2	FRIENDS OF LOIS CAPPS	Democratic	CA	$21,700	22
3	JULIA BROWNLEY FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$21,350	35
4	NEWSOM FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR 2022	—	CA	$20,000	4
5	VOTER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FUND- FEDERAL	—	CA	$15,000	3
6	MCNERNEY FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$12,250	17
7	JIMMY PANETTA FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$11,000	9
8	ALEX PADILLA FOR SENATE	Democratic	CA	$9,700	6
9	CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY	Democratic	CA	$7,500	2
10	LOU CORREA FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$6,500	7
11	DEREK TRAN FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$5,800	3
12	CUNNINGHAM KELLY GIDEON GREENFIELD CHALLENGERS 2020 (CHALLENGERS 2020)	—	DC	$5,600	1
13	MIKE LEVIN FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$5,500	7
14	GEORGE WHITESIDES FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$5,000	5
15	CHRISTINA BOHANNAN FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	IA	$5,000	6
16	CALIFORNIANS FOR VOTER TURNOUT, EDUCATION & REGISTRATION	—	CA	$5,000	1
17	BERA FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$4,500	3
18	SCHIFF FOR SENATE	Republican	CT	$4,200	3
19	JUSTICE 2024	—	DC	$4,000	1
20	MIKE MCGUIRE FOR CONGRESS	—	—	$3,500	1
21	MANNION FOR NEW YORK	Democratic	NY	$3,500	4
22	NORMA TORRES FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$3,400	2
23	MIKE FEUER FOR CONGRESS	Democratic	CA	$3,300	3
24	SLO COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY-FEDERAL	Democratic	CA	$3,000	3
25	HOUSE SENATE VICTORY FUND	—	DC	$3,000	2

1–25 of 88

1 / 4

Source: FEC bulk data

Ernst, Don — Individual Donor Profile | Poliscope