Kyrsten Sinema flees party, receives $800K via ActBlue.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Raises Impressive Donations Despite Party Departure
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) has managed to secure approximately $816,000 in donations through the Democratic fundraising software giant ActBlue during the second quarter of 2023, even after becoming an independent late last year, according to records.
Despite leaving the party in December 2022, Sinema continues to benefit from ActBlue’s influence. Between April and June, the platform served as a conduit for donors, contributing $270,000 to her campaign and $545,000 to Sinema’s joint fundraising committee, as revealed in campaign finance disclosures.
Top Democrats Clash with Sinema
Top Democrats have clashed with Sinema following her departure from the party, expressing frustration with Washington’s focus on “party doctrine.” Sacha Haworth, senior adviser to Replace Sinema, a PAC supporting Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in his Senate bid, criticized Sinema, stating, “When Sinema left the Democratic Party, she knowingly forfeited the support it has lent her over her political career. Sinema is no longer a Democrat. She should not be allowed to use the platform.”
Sinema, who has not yet announced her run in 2024, disclosed receiving $1.6 million in the second quarter, ending with $10.7 million in cash on hand. Meanwhile, Gallego received $3.1 million during the same period, and Mark Lamb, the Pinal County sheriff running for Senate as a Republican, pocketed about $607,000, according to disclosures. Kari Lake, a failed 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate, is also considering a Senate bid.
This quarter marks another instance where Gallego has outperformed Sinema in fundraising. In the first quarter, Sinema received $2.1 million compared to Gallego’s $3.7 million. Gallego finished the second quarter with $3.7 million cash on hand. Sinema’s Getting Stuff Done PAC also received money through ActBlue between April and June.
Sinema’s Reliance on ActBlue
Sinema’s campaign website began directing donors to her fundraising page through Anedot, a payment processor used by independents and Republicans, in late March. She also continues to accept contributions through Democracy Engine, whose CEO Jonathan Zucker previously headed ActBlue. According to disclosures, Sinema’s campaign and the Sinema Leadership Fund paid merchant fees totaling $39,100 to ActBlue, $10,300 to Democracy Engine, and $2,800 to Anedot.
Sinema’s reliance on ActBlue seems to contradict her efforts to distance herself from the Democratic Party. While ActBlue claims that only Democrats and progressive organizations can use their tools for fundraising, the company’s policies allow third-party incumbents or independents with a proven record of caucusing with Democrats to fundraise through the platform.
Tension with Ex-Democratic Colleagues
Tension between Sinema and her former Democratic colleagues has intensified as the 2024 election approaches. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was listed as a special guest at a Gallego fundraiser held virtually in late June, according to an event invitation. Sinema reportedly expressed her disinterest in attending weekly caucus meetings on Capitol Hill, stating that Democratic “lunches were ridiculous” during a conversation with Republican lobbyists.
An employee at Anedot clarified that the platform allows people from all political backgrounds, including lawmakers’ campaigns, to use their services alongside ActBlue.
ActBlue and Non-Democratic Candidates
Sinema is not the only non-Democrat who has utilized ActBlue to their advantage. Independent Sens. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have also received significant donations through the software since 2012.
However, ActBlue has previously enforced policies that prevent candidates from using their platform if they are running against a Democratic nominee in a partisan race. The platform reportedly enforced this rule in 2021 by removing Buffalo, New York, Mayor Byron W. Brown, a Democrat turned independent, from their platform.
Republican Arizona state Rep. Quang Nguyen acknowledged Sinema’s advantage as an independent, stating that she has a base on both sides. He expressed that he would also “take advantage” of ActBlue for fundraising if he were in Sinema’s position.
Sinema’s Fundraising Ties
Sinema’s ties to Democratic fundraising extend beyond ActBlue. She has consistently paid the Washington, D.C., political firm Fulkerson Kennedy & Co. for “fundraising consulting,” according to disclosures. The firm has worked with various Democrats, and its top vendors in 2022 included Senate Majority PAC, Sen. Maggie Hassan’s (D-NH) campaign, and Sinema’s leadership PAC, which received almost $497,000 in funding. Fulkerson Kennedy is led by Ashley Kennedy and Tonya Fulkerson, both with extensive experience in Democratic campaigns.
During the first quarter, Sinema received approximately $1.3 million through ActBlue, leading to criticism from Roy Herrera, a lawyer for the Gallego campaign, who called it “either hypocritical or ironic.”
Sinema, Gallego’s campaign, and ActBlue did not respond to requests for comment.
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