A cyclist passes in front of the Capitol, where today House Republicans will continue proceedings to elect a new House speaker following last week’s ouster of Kevin McCarthy at the Capitol in Washington, U.S., October 12, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The race to elect the next Republican speaker of the House of Representatives is injecting chaos into the world of GOP fundraising, threatening to disrupt a vital element of the Republican strategy to maintain its House majority.
Influential donors are split over how to respond to the ousting of former speaker Kevin McCarthy. One group is seeking revenge on the eight Republicans who voted against McCarthy, while another wants to target those who opposed McCarthy’s potential replacement, Steve Scalise. Some donors are even pausing their campaign donations altogether until the speaker’s battle is resolved.
Andy Sabin, a metalworks executive and Republican donor, described the Republicans who opposed McCarthy as “total pieces of s—.” He is actively discouraging fellow donors from supporting Representative Matt Gaetz and Representative Nancy Mace, who led the charge against McCarthy.
The Republican fundraiser community is also witnessing mixed opinions. Some are urging donors to withhold funds from lawmakers who opposed Scalise, while others are trying to rally support for McCarthy once again. Joanne Zervos, a New York GOP fundraiser and McCarthy supporter, is pushing for Republicans to support McCarthy’s bid once more, highlighting his proven ability to fundraise for the party.
Kevin McCarthy, however, has indicated that he will not run for speaker again but is prepared to withhold campaign funds from four House Republicans who voted against him as speaker in retaliation.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) answers questions outside the U.S. Capitol after successfully leading a vote to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the office of Speaker of the House October 3, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Win Mcnamee | Getty Images
The growing divide among donors has prompted calls to cancel fundraising events and withhold donations. This internal conflict threatens to undermine Republican fundraising efforts, as McCarthy has been a significant source of funds for the party.
It remains to be seen how this battle for the speakership will impact campaign financing for House Republicans. However, the refusal of some donors to support those who voted against McCarthy or Scalise could have long-lasting repercussions.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise speaks to reporters after a closed-door vote meeting to nominate the US Speaker of the House candidate at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, October 11, 2023.
Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
The repercussions of McCarthy’s removal extend beyond fundraising. Some major donors believe that the ongoing speaker’s battle will deter potential donors, as they question the stability and unity of the House Republicans.
It is evident that the GOP fundraising landscape is undergoing significant disruption due to the internal power struggle within the party. The fallout from McCarthy’s removal as speaker continues to reverberate throughout Republican circles, leaving the future of House majority fundraising uncertain.
U.S. Rep. and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters as Republicans work to restart their effort to pick a new leader for the U.S. House of Representatives after party infighting led nominee Steve Scalise to withdraw from the race for speaker, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., October 13, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
McCarthy’s decision not to run for speaker again and his intention to withhold campaign funds from lawmakers who voted against him further complicates the fundraising landscape for House Republicans. The fallout from this power struggle will likely affect campaign financing for the party.
It is clear that the battle for the speakership is causing rifts within the Republican donor community. The ultimate impact on fundraising remains uncertain, but the actions and decisions of influential donors will shape the future of GOP campaign financing.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
