Senator Kirsten Cinema (Arizona) made the announcement. her Democratic defection Re-elected last December, the first-term U.S. Senator still uses platforms typically used by Democrats and progressives to raise money for his yet-to-be-announced 2024 re-election campaign. We are using.
cinema campaign committee reported that it had raised over $2.1 million in the first three months of 2022, leaving $10 million on hand by March. $1 million or more forwarded from Cinema Leadership Funda joint fundraising committee that divides donations between Cinema’s campaign committee and her leadership PAC, Getting Stuff Done.
community chest committee donation page The senator has not formally announced his candidacy, but has made it clear that part of the money will go to Cinema’s 2024 re-election, according to an OpenSecret investigation.wall street journal reported last month An internal presentation suggests the cinema is preparing to operate as an independent entity.
Donations to the Community Chest are facilitated through the Democracy Engine. The Democracy Engine is nonpartisan It is a for-profit donation processor that almost exclusively raises money for Democratic politicians. If Cinema decides to run for the Democratic primary and loses, Arizona law That would bar her from running for the general election as an independent.
Cinema did not plan to run for re-election in the 2022 midterm elections, but received the most funding through Democracy Engine in the last election cycle. About $220,000 of her 2023 donation for Cinema, in addition to funding from her Community Chest, democracy engine.
Democracy Engine declined to comment.
Cinema also has Continued to raise funds through ActBlue“An online fundraising platform for top and bottom Democratic candidates, progressive organizations and nonprofits.At least $450,000 of Cinema’s funding was raised through ActBlue in the first quarter of 2023.Meanwhile, the cinema campaign funded act blue and democracy engine Merchant fees are approximately $18,000 and $13,000 respectively.
In the past, ActBlue has banned some politicians from its platform, citing scandals and changing party affiliations. A famous example is the former Democratic Governor of New York. Andrew CuomoRep. Jeff Van Drew (RN.J.), who lost access to the platform amid the 2021 sexual harassment scandal. reportedly Removed by ActBlue when it turned Republican in 2019.
ActBlue declined to comment on the matter. The website clearly states the standards used Decide which candidates can use the platform. While independents are typically excluded from ActBlue in campaigns featuring Democrats, an exception is made for incumbents who “have a track record of caucusing with Democrats.” cinema has continued After her party shift.
Cinema did not respond to OpenSecret’s request for comment.
Senate elections still mixed
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) is so far the only prominent Democrat to announce a candidacy for Cinema’s U.S. Senate seat. Gallego was first elected to the Arizona 7th House of Representatives in 2014 and was elected to the Arizona 3rd Congressional District until last year. After district reorganization.
Both Phoenix-based constituencies have strong Democratic support, with Gallego won every election At least 75% of the vote.cook political report price The Arizona Senate race is a toss-up.
So far, Cinema has a big cash advantage over Gallego, but Gallego has raised more money. First quarter of 2023.
After defeating congressional challengers 39-fold in the 2022 midterm elections, Mr. Gallego ended the year with $1.3 million in cash. Since launching his Senate candidacy in late January, Gallego has raised $3.8 million and spent $2.3 million, leaving the Senate campaign with $2.7 million at the end of March.
More than half of Gallego’s funding consists of small donations from individual contributors under $200. An OpenSecrets analysis found that less than 1% of his donations to Cinema were small donations.
largely Funds spent on Gallego’s 2024 Senate campaign went to Isle 518 Strategyis a progressive political firm used by Senators such as Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). Gallego’s campaign has paid Aisle 518 Strategies $1.6 million to date for digital consulting, listing acquisition, SMS and digital fundraising services.
Democratic politicians—like Kelly and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) — He has largely refrained from endorsing either candidate in the Arizona Senate race, often citing how much time is left before the election. However, the campaigns of Democratic California Congressmen Nancy Pelosi, Eric Swalwell, and Ted Liu contributed to Gallego’s campaign.
Across the hallway is the Pinal County Sheriff. Mark Lamb He is the most prominent Republican to announce a candidacy for a Senate seat in Arizona.Ram is officially launched His campaign came right after the first quarter FEC filing deadline, so the first funding report won’t be available until July.
according to february Polling data from OH Predictive Insights, Gallego has the advantage of winning head-to-head with Cinema and all other candidates.Other Republican candidates include former Arizona Republican Senator Blake Masters and former Republican gubernatorial candidate. Kali Lake.
