Hypocrisy, hundreds of thousands in lobbying, and new ads highlight the GOP’s candidate quality problem
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.
“We’re 88 days from November’s election and these out-of-state candidates continue to prove that Republicans have a candidate quality problem that will cost them the Senate,” said End Citizens United Spokesperson Grace Silva. “All these carpetbaggers have done is perpetuate Donald Trump’s extremist MAGA agenda and cozy up to billionaire benefactors. The voters see this, know they can’t be trusted, and are ready to send them packing this fall.”
Here’s what the GOP’s out-of-touch candidates have been up to:
#WISen: California Bank Owner Eric Hovde Rakes in Millions From EV Subsidies—Which He Repeatedly Slams on Campaign Trail
- On the campaign trail, Hovde talks a big game against electric vehicle subsidies, attacking them through characterizing them as “tax schemes” and “corporate welfare.” But, when it came to his own personal wealth, he actually chose to invest in EV manufacturers like Rivian, Lucid Motors and Nikola Corp. According to a new report, in the last year, he took in over $5 million capital gains from investments in EVs, including in companies that have received massive government subsidies and tax breaks. It’s clear that Hovde is willing to do whatever he can to grow his bank account—even if it directly contradicts his own words.
- Hovde was fact-checked on the claim that he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, kicking millions off their health insurance. PolitFact slammed Hovde with a ‘TRUE’ claim, detailing how the California millionaire has said, for over a decade, that he wants to repeal the ACA “in its entirety” and that there were “no ifs, ands, or buts” on whether he wanted to repeal it. The check looked at interviews as recently as June of this year and as far back as 2012—during his other failed Senate campaign. They also debunked his claim that prescription drug prices “skyrocket[ed” after the Affordable Care Act.
- A new Marquette Poll not only showed Senator Baldwin maintaining her lead over Hovde 53% to 46%, and among likely voters 52% to 47%, but also highlighted how unfavorable Wisconsinites view him. Hovde is viewed favorably by only 24% of Wisconsinites—an abysmal number as the campaign enters the final 90 day stretch. But, maybe his numbers wouldn’t be so low if he hadn’t insulted so many Wisconsin voters.
- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) released a new ad, slamming Hovde for being an “arrogant, phony fraud” who is trying to buy a Senate seat. The ad also highlights his lavish California lifestyle and the fact Hovde was named one of Orange County’s more influential residents. Watch the ad here.
#MTSen: Wannabe Cowboy Millionaire Tim Sheehy Spends Hundreds of Thousands on Lobbying, Creating Conflict of Interest
- According to new reporting, Sheehy’s company, which he still owns and refuses to divest from, is lobbying Congress—to the tune of $370,000. It was also revealed that government contracts makeup over 75% of Bridger Aerospace’s funding, creating “genuine conflict of interests.” But, the lobbyist money goes both ways for the wannabe cowboy, as previous reports revealed that he raked in more than $200,000 from lobbyists and rubbed elbows with the “who’s who of K Street.” It’s alarming that Sheehy refuses to sell his $30 million stake in Bridger; voters shouldn’t have to wonder whether he will use their tax dollars to further line his pockets.
- It was announced earlier this week that Trump would be joining Sheehy at a rally this week—and a local columnist slammed the out-of-state millionaire for his “dubious reinforcements.” The Montanan wrote, “Or maybe it’s to convince us that Sheehy, who has never run for elected office and remains in far too many ways, an unknown quantity, should replace Montana’s senior Senator because his total lack of experience at public policy or governing will serve the state so much better than Tester.” He also hopes that Trump will actually remember what seat Sheehy is running for; referencing Trump incorrectly said he supported Hedge Fund Millionaire Dave McCormick as the “future governor” of Pennsylvania, despite McCormick running for Senate.
- The DSCC released a new ad, warning voters that Sheehy wants to privatize Montana’s famed public lands and sell them to wealthy, out-of-staters—just like himself. Watch the ad here.
#PASen: Connecticut Hedge Fund Millionaire Dave McCormick Will Attend Conference Held by Anti-Abortion Extremist
- It’s been revealed that on Saturday, McCormick will attend a conference hosted by Erick Erickson, a far-right pundit who has propagated offensive rhetoric about women and abortion. In 2016, Erickson called Planned Parenthood a “mass murdering organization” and compared the organization’s president Cecile Richards to infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. The year prior, Erickson claimed that Planned Parenthood is similar to a Nazi concentration camp, calling the organization “our Auschwitz.” But his hateful speech doesn’t just end with abortion. In 2013, he said that females serve as “complementary role” to the male “dominant role.” This isn’t the first time—nor will it be the last—that McComirck has surrounded himself with far-right extremists. In April, he attended a fundraiser with Jan. 6 organizer and Christian nationalist Doug Mastriano. In May, he joined the anti-LGBT+ extremist group, Moms for Liberty, for a fireside chat.
- Across the state, Pennsylvanians are slamming McCormick for his nearly $2 million investment in China’s biggest fentanyl producer. From press conferences, to online news outlets, to radio hits—it’s clear that the voters are alarmed with McCormick’s history and are ready to vote against him in November.
- The DSCC released two new ads against Connecticut millionaire McCormick. The first ad slams McCormick for his Wall Street firm’s investment in China under his leadership. His firm became the number one hedge fund in China, which boosted the Chinese military while McCormick made millions. The second ad targets McCormick’s staunch anti-abortion stance and his refusal even support exceptions in abortion laws for rape or incest. Watch the ad here.
#MISen: Florida-Man Mike Rogers Sells out Michiganders for Own Self-Interests
- Unsurprisingly, Florida-Man Roger won the Michigan primary, after receiving Trump’s MAGA seal of approval, officially set to try to beat Representative Elissa Slotkin. While Representative Slotkin has dedicated career to Michiganders—and has the record to prove it—Rogers has demonstrated that he is only ever looking out for himself. Voters watched him cozy up to lobbyists and big corporations in Congress, all to walk through the revolving door after Congress to work for Big Corporations and companies tied to America’s foreign adversaries so he could enrich himself. Since then, he’s made good on his “quest to get rich” by selling out national security to work companies tied to China and Saudi Arabia.
- Outside putting the nation’s security to line his own pockets, voters know they cannot trust Rogers’ agenda, which includes banning abortion, putting Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, and reinstating tax giveaways for the wealthy elite.
- The DSCC released a new ad warning voters of Rogers’ self-enriching agenda and highlighting his time in Congress, where he took millions from Big Pharma and Wall Street before voting their way. It also touches on Rogers’ work for companies helping Chinese and Saudi businesses while Michiganders lost jobs overseas. Watch the ad here.
#NVSen: Scam Brown’s Extreme Agenda on Display
- Brown’s MAGA agenda is on full display as Nevada Democrats launched their “Sam Brown: Too Extreme for Nevada Tour” this week, with stops across the state. Local leaders joined together to slam him for his extremist stance on banning abortion, repealing the Affordable Care Act, dismantling the Department of Education, and storing the nation’s nuclear waste in Nevada. Voters know that a vote for Scam Brown isn’t a vote for someone who will fight for Nevada—but a vote for someone who will bend his knee to anything Trump wants.
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