It may be a different crowd than Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., used to get at a fundraiser this weekend for the leadership PAC, GOAL PAC, at the historic Grand Hotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Since taking the helm of the House Ways and Means Committee in March when Rep. Charlie Rangel, D, N.Y., stepped down while facing an ethics investigation, the congressman has been raking in campaign cash like never before and has seen a shift in the industry groups that are giving him campaign cash.

In just three months, there has been a steep spike in donations coming in for Levin — a windfall of more than $664,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to about $101,000 in 2008 and only $50,000 in 2006, according to data from the Federal Election Commission.

Also, there is a change in the industries that are contributing to him. He has collected more money from the financial, insurance, and real estate sector than from labor unions for the very first time since such data are available from the Center for Responsive Politics, and is enjoying new donations from lobbying firms with tax practices. (See chart below)

With several months of the 2010 election cycle to go, Levin has already collected $1.9 million for his campaign committee and leadership PAC combined, more than double the  $754,000 he raised in the entire 2008 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. While labor unions still figure prominently among his top 100 donors, new names are appearing on this cycle’s list of top donors that have not been there before, including prominent lobbying firms with thriving tax  practices such as Brownstein Hyatt, Capitol Counsel, Hogan & Hartson, and Patton Boggs.

Interestingly, donors from the firms started contributing last year, before Levin picked up the gavel at the House Ways and Means Committee, but when his name was being mentioned as Rangel’s likely successor. Norman Brownstein, one of Brownstein Hyatt’s founding partners, bundled $19,650 to the Congressman during the third quarter of 2oo9. A search of federal contributions shows that several of the firm’s employees made contributions to Levin toward the end of September. The Denver-based firm, which also counts Steven Farber (who organized the 2008 Democratic convention) represents a long list of corporate clients; the firm’s largest lobbying client, Apollo Advisors, which it represents on tax issues, also shows up as a top donor to Levin this election cycle.

John D. Raffaelli, a lobbyist for Capitol Counsel and frequent host of congressional fundraisers, lent his name to this July 2009 fundraiser for the congressman at Johnny’s Half Shell. The firm is the source of $4,000 for the congressman in the 2010 election cycle so far, including a total of $1,750 contributed by Raffaelli himself. The lobbyist represents nearly four dozen clients, including the Edison Electric Institute, Home Depot, and the Real Estate Roundtable.

Levin has been spreading around his new found political wealth, with most of his leadership PAC expenditures going to colleagues. He has been focusing his contributions on three Democratic groups, according to this July report in Politco: junior lawmakers in tight races; Michigan candidates; and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Built in 1887, the Grand Hotel is a popular spot for political events, particularly for the Michigan delegation–ironically, given the state’s main industry, the island permits no cars. According to federal campaign spending data, among the politicians to shell out money to the hotel recently are Michiganers Bart Stupak (D), Fred Upton (R), Dave Camp (R), and John Dingell (D). Sander Levin was there in June along with the rest of the delegation for the annual Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Weekend rates start at $470 per night, according to the hotel’s website.

Emails and phone calls to lobbyists and Rep. Levin’s campaign office were not returned by the time of this posting.

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