Report: Kyrsten Sinema Is Being Backed By Major GOP Donors

Democratic U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has been getting cash from Republican donors, according to various media reports.

"According to new FEC filings, Sinema brought in $1.6 million in Q4, only $33,983 of which was unitemized, which designates donations of less than $200 (i.e., ones from ordinary people)," Rolling Stone reports.

The New York Times's Shane Goldmacher tweeted the breakdown of the funds Sinema raised.

The big-name Republican donors include Harlan Crow, Ken Langone, Nelson Peltz, and Miguel B. "Mike" Fernandez, according to Raw Story. The outlet reports that Crow gave Sinema so much money she had to refund part of it.

"Sinema drew money from additional Republican megadonors like financier George Roberts, groups like the American Petroleum Institute, and companies like Fox News, whose political action committee, Fox Corp. PAC, gave her $5,000," according to the report.

Sinema, the first out bisexual senator in U.S. history, has stoked the ire of progressives in Congress and across the country for being one of two Democratic senators who critics say have obstructed President Joe Biden's legislative agenda.

Arizona Democrats voted to censure Sinema last month for refusing to reform the filibuster so voting rights legislation could move ahead.

"While we take no pleasure in this announcement, the [Arizona Democratic Party] Executive Board has decided to formally censure Senator Sinema as a result of her failure to do whatever it takes to ensure the health of our democracy," Arizona Democratic Party Chair Raquel Teran said in a statement to CNN.

Also, a recent survey by Public Policy Polling found she has a net negative favorability rating from Arizona voters and that a majority favors changing the Senate rules to allow voting rights legislation to pass. The survey showed 45 percent of respondents had an unfavorable view of Sinema and 42 percent a favorable one. Fifty-one percent said she should vote to change the rules if needed to pass voting rights, while 36 percent wanted no change.