Musk cash becomes liability in Democratic primaries
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Cash from Elon Musk's companies has prompted finger-pointing in Democratic primaries, with candidates targeting donations their opponents received in some cases years before Musk's full embrace of the MAGA movement.
Why it matters: It has turned into a de facto purity test, with Democratic candidates in New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota facing questions about donations from Musk's SpaceX's political arm and its lobbyists.
- Many of the Democrats under fire are responding by washing their hands of Musk's money, saying their campaigns gave away the contributions, which span from this year to before President Biden's election.
Driving the news: The donations from Musk's company and lobbyists have spawned attack ads ahead of Tuesday's contentious New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial primary.
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) donated the $24,000 her campaign received from SpaceX's political action committee to a food bank in New Jersey, according to campaign finance reports.
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), one of Sherrill's primary opponents, also donated the $2,500 he received from the PAC last year, according to his campaign.
Between the lines: But Musk's company PAC has donated widely to Democrats over the years, setting up a clash over the cash elsewhere.
- Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), who is running for an open Senate seat, received over $73,000 from SpaceX's PAC and lobbyists starting in 2018. Stevens' campaign declined to comment for this story.
- In Illinois, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), donated Space X PAC money his campaign received to charity before launching his Senate bid, according to his campaign. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who is running for the same Senate seat, also received money from the company's PAC.
- Another Senate aspirant, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) donated money she received from SpaceX's PAC to a veterans organization.
What they're saying: "These are false, desperate attacks from candidates who've spent millions and have failed to garner support," said Sean Higgins, a spokesman for Sherrill.
- Sherrill "hasn't taken a dime from Elon Musk or his companies" and has been described as one of Musk's most vocal congressional critics, Higgins added.
- SpaceX's PAC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
