Analysis: Swing state Republicans suffer financial losses and donor attrition due to Trump’s unfounded election claims

Real estate mogul Ron Weiser, one of the largest donors to the Michigan Republican Party, has decided to halt his funding due to concerns about the party’s stewardship. Weiser, the former chair of the party, disagrees with Republicans who spread falsehoods about the 2020 election results and finds it “ludicrous” to claim that Donald Trump won Michigan. He questions the party’s ability to spend money effectively. This move by Weiser reflects the consequences that Republicans in battleground states like Michigan and Arizona are facing for their unwavering support of former President Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud.

A Reuters review of financial filings and interviews with major donors and election campaign experts reveals that both the Arizona and Michigan Republican Parties have been losing significant amounts of money in recent years. This financial setback undermines Republican efforts to win crucial states that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and control of the U.S. Congress. The Arizona Republican Party currently has less than $50,000 in cash reserves, a stark decrease from nearly $770,000 four years ago. Similarly, the Michigan party’s federal account dropped to about $116,000 from nearly $867,000 two years ago.

According to Seth Masket, the director of the non-partisan Center on American Politics at the University of Denver, the two parties have “astonishingly low cash reserves,” severely limiting their ability to support candidates, fund get-out-the-vote efforts, and pay for advertisements. The Arizona party’s federal filings show that over $300,000 was spent on “legal consulting” fees last year, with some of the money going towards lawsuits seeking to overturn Trump’s defeat in the state. Additionally, more than $500,000 was spent on an election night party and a bus tour for Trump-backed candidates, all of whom lost in the midterms.

Weiser is not the only donor who has ceased giving money to the Republican parties in Arizona and Michigan. Five other major donors have also stopped their contributions, citing concerns about election overturn efforts, support for losing candidates, and extreme positions on issues like abortion. These donors now plan to give money directly to candidates or support them through other political fundraising groups. The chair of the Michigan state party, Kristina Karamo, did not respond to requests for comment, but she previously expressed a desire to break ties with established donors and rely more on grassroots members.

The financial struggles faced by the Arizona and Michigan Republican Parties have significant implications for the future. These swing states, both won by President Biden in 2020, are expected to play a crucial role in the 2024 presidential election. While not all Republican parties have experienced the same financial difficulties, the lack of support from major donors is detrimental to the parties’ operations and campaign efforts. Some donors in Michigan have begun discussing alternative ways to support individual Republican candidates, but building the necessary infrastructure quickly enough to win the 2024 election will be a challenge.

Overall, the financial woes of the Arizona and Michigan Republican Parties highlight the consequences of aligning closely with former President Trump and his unfounded claims of election fraud. Without the support of major donors, these parties face significant obstacles in regaining political power in the upcoming elections.

Original Story at www.reuters.com – 2023-07-05 10:02:00