Adelson wasn't always the GOP's best friend

Republicans are lucky to have Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson's generous funding of the conservative group Freedom's Watch, but he wasn't always in their corner.

Earlier in his career, Adelson contributed over $100,000 to Democrats.

Although he had a history of donating to both Republicans and (mostly) Democrats throughout the `80s and early `90s, the casino mogul's financial support of Democrats ended abruptly after 1997. That year, he gave $2,000 to the Democratic National Committee and $100,000 to the Republican National Committee.

Ever since, he's been a solid supporter for Republicans, having contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republican candidates, and millions more to other efforts such as Freedom's Watch.