The oil industry is packing less of a financial punch this election cycle than it did during the last presidential race. Political spending from petroleum producers, besieged by the coronavirus pandemic, has dipped as President Trump and other Republicans try to retain control of both the Senate and White House. The drop-off is yet another sign of how fewer Americans driving their cars or flying in planes during the pandemic has crushed demand for gasoline and other petroleum products. The economic slump, in turn, has left oil executives and other employees with less cash on hand to give to President Trump and other petroleum-friendly politicians — all while polling shows a potential blue wave mounting that could put Joe Biden and other Democrats into power. That’s according to data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that tracks political donations. The totals include donations […]