It’s time to break out the piñatas and salt your margaritas! Today marks the 159th anniversary of a Mexican force defeating the French at the Battle of Puebla, a date that has morphed into a day of revelry and indulgence in the United States. But hold onto your sombreros! There’s more to Cinco de Mayo than celebration. You guessed it: there’s a money-in-politics side to the holiday, and it’s led by your friends Jose Cuervo, Negro Modelo and Corona, among others.

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO: It’s time to break out the piñatas and salt your margaritas! Today marks the 159th anniversary of a Mexican force defeating the French at the Battle of Puebla, a date that has morphed into a day of revelry and indulgence in the United States.

But hold onto your sombreros! There’s more to Cinco de Mayo than celebration. You guessed it: there’s a money-in-politics side to the holiday.

OpenSecrets Blog recently analyzed the politics of alcohol and found that Diageo PLC, the owner of Jose Cuervo, is generally friendly to Democrats. Of the $134,202 contributed from its PAC and individual associated with the company, 70 percent benefited Democrats during the 2010 election cycle.

Jose Cuervo, of course, is the world’s largest maker and distributor of tequila, which is a liquor of Mexican roots that will likely flow on Cinco de Mayo as easily as undisclosed big money after the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision.

The Diageo North American PAC doled out some big money during the 2010 election cycle. It contributed to, among others, Reps. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

Constellation Brands is the parent company of Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo and Pacífico. The Constellation Brands PAC and people affiliated with the company contributed more than $202,000 during the 2010 election cycle, of which 69 percent benefited Democrats. » Read More