Simons is Nation's Top Democratic Super PAC Donor

East Setauket resident James Simons, Long Island's richest resident, founder of hedge fund firm Renaissance Technologies and a former Stony Brook University math professor, is also the nation's highest donor to Democratic super PACs this election cycle, according to a Newsday report.

Citing OpenSecrets.org, the report notes Simons has donated $4 million to four different groups, most recently an Aug. 8 donation of $2 million to Priorities USA.

In March, Forbes magazine cited Simons as the richest Long Islander, with a net worth of $10.7 billion. In 2011, he donated $150 million to SBU, the largest donation ever to a State University of New York school.

Ahead of Simons on OpenSecret's list of largest super PAC donors are four donors to what it refers to as conservative groups. Topping the list with more than $36 million in donations is Sheldon and Miriam Adelson. Sheldon Adelson owns the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

Click here to read the Newsday report, and here to go to OpenSecrets.org's group of top super PAC donors.