Final answer:
Political action committees (PACs) primarily function to raise and distribute campaign funds to their favored political candidates within regulated contribution limits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary function of political action committees (PACs) is to raise campaign funds to support favored candidates. PACs come into play during federal elections, where they are a key source of funding, contributing a significant portion to candidates running for the House of Representatives and the Senate. Unlike super PACs, which emerged following the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision and can spend unlimited amounts, traditional PACs can contribute a maximum of $5,000 per candidate per election and up to $15,000 a year to a national political party. PACs are formed by various entities, including businesses, unions, and interest groups, to support candidates who endorse policies favorable to their interests.