Final answer:
PACs primarily contribute to incumbent candidates and those in congressional committees, using their funds to gain influence and promote interests that align with their group. Super PACs can spend unlimited amounts but are restricted from direct contributions to candidates.
Step-by-step explanation:
PACs are most likely to contribute to incumbent congressional candidates and those who sit on committees relevant to the PAC's interest. These contributions support candidates who are more likely to protect and promote the interests these groups represent.
An explanation of how PACs influence elections shows that interest groups behind PACs prioritize the power and committee positions of candidates over their ideologies. PAC contributions are strategically made to foster relationships and ensure access to lawmakers. Therefore, many PAC funds, especially those from corporations, are funneled to incumbents. Specific examples have shown the extent of this funding pattern, such as in the case of the Enron accounting scandal where a significant number of congressional committee members on the investigation had received donations from associated PACs.
While direct contributions from PACs to candidates are limited, super PACs, which emerged following the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, can spend unlimited amounts, but not directly to individual candidates. This system of election finance plays a key role in the campaign process and can profoundly affect the outcome of elections.