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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema refunds millions, reports overseas travel after deciding not to run

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6 months ago

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema refunds millions, reports overseas travel after deciding not to run

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Retiring U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema refunded more than $4 million to her donors over the past three months, unloading money intended for a general election run she opted against.

Her campaign also covered more than $7,000 in overseas travel expenses billed to Milan, Rome and Paris in those three months, although Sinema didn’t collect any contributions from American donors living abroad.

Sinema, I-Ariz., gave back $3.1 million to individuals and $905,000 to political action committees between April and June, according to her campaign’s quarterly report filed Sunday.

The refunds cut her campaign’s remaining cash to $5.6 million, which is double what Kari Lake, the Republican front-runner in the race to succeed her, reported at the end of June.

A spokesman declined Monday to discuss her campaign finances.

While Sinema’s campaign showed significant signs of winding down, it also recorded $476,000 in operating expenses, with security and travel-related charges accounting for much of it.

On March 5, Sinema announced that she would not seek a second six-year term. She cited her legislative accomplishments but, in a video message at the time, said, “I believe in my approach, but it’s not what America wants right now.”

Sinema’s once-prolific fundraising largely dried up when she left the Democratic Party to become an independent in December 2022, and public polling consistently showed her on track for a distant third-place finish behind both Democrat Ruben Gallego and Lake.

Sinema’s affiliated Getting Stuff Done PAC also unloaded more than it took in during the spring quarter. That PAC still collected $30,000 in a handful of contributions but spent $147,000 on items such as paying fundraising consultant Fulkerson Kennedy and Co. $51,000 and payroll totaling $25,000.

Overall, that PAC still had $244,000 in cash entering July.

Her leadership PAC was dormant throughout the quarter and has no remaining cash.

Foreign travel, ‘luxury’ accommodations a recurring theme

The foreign travel expenses are a reminder of the often-lavish expenses Sinema piled up that helped erode her support with voters in the first place.

Sinema faced a formal complaint to the Federal Election Commission last year from a group bent on ousting her from the Senate. Its complaint identified 51 expenditures totaling nearly $36,000 to 17 hotels it characterized as “luxury hotels, resorts and spas” in France, the United Kingdom and ski resorts in Colorado and Utah.

The complaint didn’t result in any sanctions on Sinema.

Refunds to Michael Bidwill, Sylvester Stallone, others

Before her campaign began mass refunds, Sinema had greater cash reserves than anyone not seeking office, other than former Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who left office two years ago.

Among those who have gotten money back are Michael Bidwill, the owner of the Arizona Cardinals, and actor Sylvester Stallone.

Sinema’s recent refunds should vault her near the top of that category.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who also isn’t running for reelection, refunded nearly $3 million by the end of last year.

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