Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) has seen a significant shift in her political fundraising over the years, moving from small-dollar donations to receiving financial backing from cryptocurrency moguls, corporate PACs, unions, and even foreign governments.
This rise in financial support comes as Crockett, a former lawyer, has gained prominence as a progressive firebrand in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Crockett first entered the political scene when she ran for the Texas House of Representatives in 2020, where her campaign was initially fueled by local small-dollar donors.
Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’
As her career progressed, however, organized labor and business interests began pouring significant funds into her political committee.
Crockett’s largest financial backing came during the 2022 election season when super PACs linked to cryptocurrency industry leaders, including Sam Bankman-Fried, supported her bid to replace retiring Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
These super PACs spent millions to help Crockett secure her congressional seat.
Since taking office, Crockett has continued to attract financial support from a variety of corporate and union PACs.
FREE Concealed Carry Gun Laws & Reciprocity Map
Among her donors are major pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Gilead Sciences, financial firms such as BlackRock and Goldman Sachs, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX, and household names including McDonald’s, Home Depot, CVS, Verizon, and Toyota.
Additionally, unions, including the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), have contributed to Crockett’s campaigns at both the state and federal levels.
In her early days as a candidate, Crockett expressed disdain for corporate influence.
In a tweet from July 10, 2020, she proudly stated that she had not taken any corporate PAC money, while her opponent had accepted nearly $200,000.
Special Interest and PAC Money Accepted By:
The Opposition: $191,982.61 ❌
Jasmine Crockett: $0.00 ✅
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) July 10, 2020
However, campaign finance records reveal that Crockett accepted thousands in corporate PAC dollars between July 5 and December 31, 2020, calling into question the accuracy of her earlier statement.
One of the more controversial aspects of Crockett’s financial backing has been her acceptance of gifts and trips from foreign governments.
In February 2023, Crockett took a trip to Doha, Qatar, which cost over $17,000 and was paid for by the United States-Qatar Business Council.
The council, a trade association with links to the Qatari government, arranged meetings between Crockett and high-ranking officials in Qatar.
During the trip, Crockett stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, a luxurious waterfront resort. Four other members of Congress, including both Republicans and Democrats, were also invited to attend the trip.
In addition to Qatar, Crockett has received support from the Indian and Emirati governments for cultural exchange trips, according to records.
These foreign-funded trips have raised questions about the influence of foreign governments on U.S. lawmakers, particularly when they are paid for by groups with links to foreign governments.
Despite the mounting criticism, Crockett’s office maintains that she is following all required federal disclosure rules.
“The congresswoman files her financial disclosures and all required documents in accordance with federal law,” said her chief of staff in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
Crockett’s rise in political prominence, along with her increasing reliance on corporate and foreign donations, highlights the growing influence of outside money in politics, especially among progressive lawmakers.
While Crockett continues to advocate for policies that target corporate greed and criticize the influence of corporate interests, her fundraising history tells a different story—one in which she has become closely tied to the very forces she publicly criticizes.
American Made Patriotic Apparel – Save 15% with Promo Code MERICA
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here
