Tax benefits for the wealthy, cozying up to lobbyists, and dodging campaign stops
Welcome to another edition of Transplant Turmoil—the weekly series spotlighting the ways Republican carpetbaggers continue to prove themselves as out-of-touch with the state they’re running in.
“These out-of-state millionaires continue to show that they are only in the race to enrich themselves and their corporate benefactors,” said End Citizens United Spokesperson Grace Silva. “These untested candidates will say and do anything to please MAGA extremists and their billionaire buddies—even if it means raising costs for working families and stripping voters of their rights. Voters know they cannot trust these out-of-touch carpetbaggers.”
Here’s what the GOP’s out-of-touch candidates have been up to:
#MTSen: Wannabe Cowboy Millionaire Tim Sheehy Directly Pushed for Tax Change to Benefit Himself
- New reports exposed that in 2022, wannabe cowboy Sheehy urged Montana’s Governor Gianforte to introduce a tax cut that would benefit wealthy out-of-state investors—like himself. After donating to Gianforte’s campaign, Sheehy sent an email to the governor’s personal account, requesting him to adjust the tax system. He wrote that Sheehy discovered the tax code was a “potential barrier for future small business, venture and growth investment into Montana companies from out of state individuals.” A year later, Gianforte signed a major cut to the state’s capital gains tax. The change is projected to “reduce state revenues by almost $16 million in 2025” but will benefit wealthy out-of-state investors—like Sheehy. He will do anything to line his own pockets—even at the expense of working families and Montana’s revenue.
- It was revealed that millionaire Sheehy was found wining and dining with “top” lobbyist donors at the Republican National Convention. The dinner itself was organized by GOP lobbyist Jeff Miller, Arthur Schwartz of Axiom Advisors and Cliff Sims, a long-time figure in Trump world. Sheehy has already taken more than $200,000 from lobbyists. He’s made it clear that he is up for sale and he’ll do anything to please the lobbyists who keep him funded.
#MISen: Florida-Man Mike Rogers Calls to Reinstate Trump’s Corporate Tax Giveaway
- Florida-Man Rogers has renewed his calls to extend Trump’s corporate tax giveaway, which slashed rates for large corporations and the ultra-wealthy, and even give corporations bigger tax cuts. In 2018, the tax bill allowed billionaires to pay less in taxes than working Michigan families, and benefitted only those in the top tax brackets. Rogers even said, “there’s no tax cut I don’t like.” He’s willing to put Michigan families behind his own self-enrichment and will use the Senate seat to do so. If Rogers is elected, there’s no doubt that Michigan families would see their own taxes rise while the wealthy elite avoid high costs. He is only ever out for himself—and has the record to prove it. In Congress, he refused to rein in special interests so he could later walk through the revolving door afterwards and make an “explosion of wealth” advising companies on the issues he dealt with in office.
- Michigan Democrats launched a powerful new ad hitting Rogers, detailing his history of using special interests, including his work with Chinese and Saudi tech, to get rich and sell Michiganders out. Watch here.
#NVSen: Scam Brown Skips Campaign Event for Out-of-State Crypto Conference
- It looks like Scam Brown is choosing to cozy up to crypto tech billionaires over Nevadans. This weekend, he was scheduled to continue his campaign’s “Rural Tour,” but a stop in Elko was unexpectedly canceled. Though the campaign claimed it was due to “unintended circumstances,” closer research revealed that Brown would be speaking about the “winning political strategy” of being pro-crypto at a Bitcoin conference—in Nashville. Brown has long been accused of being absent from campaigning on the ground and for not understanding the issues that matter to voters. This “winning political strategy,” shows Nevadans exactly who Brown will actually work for, if elected to the Senate.
#WISen: California Bank Owner Eric Hovde Sends Bizarre, Self-Incriminating Email
- In response to Vice President Kamala Harris announcing her presidential candidacy, Eric Hovde sent a fundraising email including the line, “Keep California extremism out of Wisconsin.” This, coming from the California millionaire bank owner who is quick to tout extreme stances on any issue that only benefits himself and other wealthy benefactors, is irony at its finest. Wisconsinites will be sure to send the only extremist Californian back to the West Coast and reelect Senator Baldwin, who shares their same Midwest values.
#PASen: Connecticut Hedge Fund Millionaire Dave McCormick Can’t Hide From Chinese Fentanyl Investment
- Following the increased pressure from concerned Pennsylvanians, McCormick attempted to defend himself against his ties to China, but the response was lackluster at best. He had no defense for investing nearly $2 million in China’s biggest fentanyl producer during his time as CEO of Bridgewater. He may think that avoiding addressing the investment will save face, but when compared to Senator Bob Casey, who passed the Fend Off Fentanyl Act and is fighting to pass the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act—there’s no comparison. At the ballot box, McCormick won’t be able to hide from his terrible record of working against the Keystone State.
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