AZ-SEN: McCain donors flip to Mark Kelly over Republican incumbent in key Arizona Senate race

[RandySF]

NOTE: PLEASE EXCUSE THE USE OF THE EXAMINER, BUT I COULD NOT FIND IT ELSEWHERE.


Democrat Mark Kelly is receiving a boost for his Senate campaign from an unexpected source: campaign donors to the late Republican Sen. John McCain, who held the Arizona seat for more than 30 years.

In backing Kelly, a former astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, the contributors are effectively snubbing McCain's GOP successor, Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat in December 2018 after losing to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. McSally must win the November 2020 special election for the right to serve out the final two years of McCain’s term.

While McSally, 53, still has McCain donors on her books, the crossover giving is, in a sense, an extension of bad blood between her and the McCain family, some of whom were none too pleased at her appointment by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey.

Reginald Ballantyne, who sat on McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign’s Arizona finance team, doled out the maximum amount of $5,400 for his 2016 Senate primary and general election. Ballantyne has, as of last month, given Kelly’s primary and general senatorial campaigns $4,000 but nothing to McSally's.

Don Budinger, a 2014 McCain fundraiser host committee member, donated a total of $1,500 to McCain’s primary account in 2014 and 2016. This year, he's contributed $1,000 to Kelly but nothing to McSally to contest the Senate.



https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/mccain-donors-flip-to-mark-kelly-over-republican-incumbent-in-key-arizona-senate-race

[Jane Austin]

1. Oh, boy!

That's good news!

[sheshe2]

2. K&R

Great news!

[Hekate]

3. Kick!

[Wellstone ruled]

4. That is a major

political shift. The amounts seem to predict some real dollars coming Kelly's way. So the Tea Party/American Independence movement is finally falling in favoritism.

[Wounded Bear]

5. K & R...for visibility...nt

[wryter2000]

6. Oh, this makes me happy

I so hope he wins.

[Thekaspervote]

7. the trump repubs have been raining shit on the mccains for some time now

The McCain family said they will support Joe Biden for prez.

Sen McCain the favorite son of Arizonans. Hope their support lasts

[JonLP24]

8. I just hope Kelly is more moderate than Krysten Sinema

Who is way too conservative.

Even so called "maverick" McCain still voted like a conservative.

[eggplant]

11. One more senate seat is one more seat.

This time around, it's all about McConnell.

[JonLP24]

12. Senate seat isn't all I care about

I just hope he is a moderate Democrat rather than another ConservaDem. Plus it is my state so I would like somewhat of a voice.

[a kennedy]

9. Yeehaaaa. Go Kelly Go.......

got a few bucks I send his way.

[llmart]

10. I so want him to win also!

He's a terrific guy.

[proud patriot]

13. Great news

[FakeNoose]

14. Mark Kelly will make a wonderful Senator from Arizona

I'm rooting for him all the way!

[Cha]

15. Brilliant!!!

[Demovictory9]

16. good