Sen. Kyrsten Sinema spent more than $800,000 in campaign funds in just three months, including $265,000 on security

• The independent from Arizona, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, has raised nearly $200,000 more than she raised.
• At least $265,521 was spent on security, including $77,000 for a new Chevrolet and $1,523 worth of tickets to events for the bodyguards.
• Former staffer calls her 'insane' spending on security 'Howard Hughes-level paranoia'

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema wasted $1 million in these funds in the final three months of 2023, as her campaign funds dwindled and questions remained about whether she would even run for re-election at all.

The independent from Arizona, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, spent $796,565 in campaign funds in the fourth quarter of this year, nearly $200,000 more than he raised, according to Federal Election Commission filings. did.

At least $265,521 was spent on security, including a $77,000 new Chevrolet and $1,523 worth of tickets to events for the bodyguard, including $490 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. It is.

It's unclear what type of car she purchased, only saying it was a “van,” and the ticket didn't specify what event her security guard would be attending.

According to the New York Post, this isn't the first time Sinema has spent big on a car, having spent $70,000 on a Chevrolet “security detail” vehicle for herself two years ago. He said he was using a second one for a friend on the security team.

A former employee called her “insane” spending on security “Howard Hughes-level paranoia.”

Mr. Sinema raised just $594,816 in the fourth quarter of 2023. With both Democrats and Republicans set to challenge her in 2024, and facing an April 8 voting deadline, many are wondering if she will run.

If she loses re-election, or doesn't run at all, she would be allowed to keep these vehicles.

Sinema also spent $3,028 on a vehicle on trips to London and Paris, but it's unclear whether that was for personal use or for safety. She also paid $116,000 for private charter air travel in 2023.

The senator still has about $10 million in cash on hand, but nearly a third of her fundraising was solely money transferred from her own Cinema Leadership Fund.

It's unclear whether she'll run again, but she's still holding some of the biggest fundraising events, with donors currently being handed out invitations to a $10,000 “Weekend with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.” ing.

She has not held a public event in Arizona in a year. Sinema has not commented on her spending.

Mr. Sinema has been a thorn in the side of Democratic leadership, infuriating liberals for not supporting some of President Joe Biden's social plans.

Sinema's controversial positions and her switch to independent status have raised questions about whether she will seek a second term. She is currently caucusing to ensure that Democrats maintain a one-seat majority in the Senate.

But others argue that Mr. Sinema has shown remarkable political acumen and has established himself as an influential power in the Senate.

She has been at the center of the ring in negotiations on several major bills in Congress. But she also declined to support some of Democratic leadership's priorities, such as ending the filibuster.

She is attracting attention not only for her political power but also for her fashion sense. Her colorful costumes are hard to miss. During her pandemic, she wore brightly colored wigs because she couldn't go to the hair salon, she said.

She has sought to link herself to the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain proudly boasted of his “maverick” nickname and his ability to zigzag along political lines.

Even before switching parties, she hung out on the Republican side of the aisle and had a close friendship with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney.

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego is considered the favorite for the Democratic nomination this fall, with unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake the most high-profile Republican in the race.