Investments in the Chinese military industry, attacks against eldery voters, and lying about combat injuries
Welcome to another week 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.
What the GOP’s out-of-touch candidates have been up to:
#PASen: Connecticut Hedge Fund Millionaire David McCormick Invested in the Chinese Military to Enrich Himself Over Working Families
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In a new bombshell report, it was revealed that the hedge fund millionaire directed millions of dollars in investments into Chinese companies that produce fighter jets, bombers, and other aspects of the Chinese military industrial complex. Bridgewater held stock in at least 20 Chinese firms that were later sanctioned by Trump or President Biden for being a part of the country’s military-industrial complex or surveillance efforts. The investments at one point were worth at last $230 million—which included pension funds from working families, including Pennsylvania teachers.
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Once again, McCormick seemed to forget which state he was running for office in. This week, he went on the Erick Erickson show to try to tout his campaign, despite the show not broadcasting anywhere in the Keystone State. But, he was able to reach voters in his home state of Connecticut—one of the states where the show actually airs. Too bad he’s not running for office in the state that he clearly views as home.
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On the very same show, the hedge fund millionaire took the time to brag about his work in China, claiming that it will be a “good issue for me to campaign on.” The show aired before McCormick was exposed for his self-enriching investments, but even so—this is not the first, second, or even third time that he’s put China profits ahead of the American workers. During his time in the George W. Bush administration, he rewrote the rules of investment to later capitalize on the changes to make millions for himself. He’s also said he doesn’t care about undercutting the Pennsylvania job market and is fine with outsourcing jobs.
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In its recent pre-primary FEC report, McCormick’s super PAC announces $3.5 million in contributions—but not a single dollar in the PAC comes from Pennsylvania. It’s clear that despite his desperate attempts to buy his own Senate seat—voters are ready to send him back to Connecticut.
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As he tries to rally support—and find funding outside of his wallet—McCormick has chosen an…interesting array of surrogates to fundraise with. Not only will he be fundraising with former boss George W. Bush, but he also will be joined by Harlan Crow, the billionaire who has been at the forefront of the Supreme Court corruption scandals. But the questionable guests continue. This weekend, he will attend a fundraiser with January 6th organizer and election denier Doug Mastriano. Not only did Mastriano attend the insurrection but was responsible for chartering several busloads of rioters to our nation’s capital.
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Throughout all of these stunts, voters remain steadfast in their support of Senator Casey. In the most recent polling, Senator Casey holds a 46% to 39% lead over the Connecticut millionaire. The voters know that Senator Casey is working for the people—not the special interests who pad McCormick’s pockets.
#MTSen: Wannabe Cowboy Millionaire Tim Sheehy Can’t Keep His Story Straight about his Gunshot Wound
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It appears that Tim Sheehy’s cowboy persona isn’t the only thing he’s lied about. This week, the Washington Post exposed that despite previously claiming the gunshot wound in his arm was received in combat, over a year later he told a National Park Ranger he accidentally shot himself in the arm that day—quite a very different story from his previous one. When faced with the inconsistency, Sheehy insisted he lied to the National Park Ranger to protect his former platoonmates from a military investigation, but doubts still remain. Organizations like VoteVets are calling on him to release medical documents to answer the remaining questions.
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Wannabe cowboy Sheehy’s bad week continued after it was revealed that his company reported $77 million in losses in 2023. Concerns continue to arise as he’s built his campaign in-part around being a successful businessman and the bad publicity his Senate run may bring to the company.
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Dodging direct questions from Montanans, Sheehy refused to say last month if he would support the restoration of Roe v. Wade or abortion rights. Despite the voter asking the question three times, Sheehy literally turned his back on the voter. This comes after repeated outcry against his anti-abortion stance in response to him comparing abortion “murdering” children and refusal to support the Access to Family Building Act, which protects reproductive rights.
#WISen: California Bank Owner Eric Hovde Against Voting Rights for the Elderly
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Is there any demographic outside of rich, white men that Hovde won’t insult? Students, young voters, single mothers, Black women, and now the elderly…the California millionaire has a strange way of trying to garner support. This week, Hovde was slammed for questioning if nursing home residents should be allowed to vote, claiming they are not “at a point to vote” due to life expectancy. As of July 2023, there were over 17,000 Wisconsinites living in nursing homes—and yet, Hovde seems ready to roll back their most fundamental freedom.
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After claiming that undocumented immigrants are taking away opportunities from U.S. citizens, Hovde released an ad that features stock footage of actors from other countries. Instead of employing local Wisconsin residents—or even Americans from other states—to feature in his digital advertising, he relied on non-American actors. This all comes after he criticized a bipartisan border security bill that would have provided $6.8 billion for Customs and Border Protection, $7.6 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $3.99 billion for Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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Every week, more people are noticing Hovde’s “lackluster” campaign—even longtime Republican strategists. Bill McCoshen highlighted Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan dedication to the people of the Dairy State and their local concerns, saying, “Her constituent services is what makes her so strong. She and her staff deliver. And she’ll have unconventional endorsements that would normally go to a Republican candidate.”
#NVSen: Scam Brown Wants to Eliminate Department of Education
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During his failed run in 2022, Scam Brown proposed eliminating the Department of Education, among other cabinet-level agencies. He claimed that departments existing on the state level—such as education and transportation—do not need a federal counterpart. He recently reiterated that he believes these programs are redundant and is interested in still cutting them—which would be disastrous for students not just in Nevada but across the country.
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Though he’s been avoiding campaigning in the actual state of Nevada, Brown was more than happy to fly to Mar-a-Lago to pander to Trump in hopes of gaining an endorsement. But the endorsement won’t come easy—Brown has drawn ire from Democrats and Republicans alike throughout his campaign. His Republican critics have highlighted his reluctance to align himself with Trump in the past, despite searching for an endorsement this cycle.
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Nevadans are taking notice of his out-of-touch stances on the issues that matter—this quarter Senator Rosen raised more than double the amount Brown reported. With a sum of $5 million in the first quarter, Senator Rosen broke the record for best first quarter in U.S. Senate history in Nevada. The contrast in enthusiasm is clear and the voters are ready to reelect Senator Rosen and send Brown packing.
#MISen: Florida-Man Mike Rogers is an “Active” Florida Voter
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It’s official—Mike Rogers will never beat the Florida-Man allegations. This week, it was revealed that he and his wife are still registered Florida voters, despite his attempt to buy a Michigan Senate seat. As he tries to run on a local angle, his Florida voting status remains “active” on the voting registration. Between the growing in-party dissonance to his campaign and the strong Democratic opposition, it might just be high time for Rogers to head on back to his Cape Coral home.
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Meanwhile, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin announced record-breaking fundraising numbers. She raised $4.4 million last quarter, starting April with over $8.6 million in cash reserves—all while refusing to take corporate PAC money. By harnessing grassroots power, she’s broken the record for the most funds raised by a U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan history at this point in the cycle.
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