Washington, D.C. — A new analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund released today finds that the family of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has made more than $2 million in political contributions to Republican candidates and Republican-aligned groups over the past year—despite Secretary DeVos’ pledge not to make political contributions. The analysis finds that the family members’ political contributions appear to be well-coordinated, occurring on the same dates and in the same dollar amounts. Key findings from the column include:
- Arizona U.S. Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) landed $54,000 in contributions from the family this cycle—more than any other U.S. Senate candidate received from the DeVoses.
- Gov. Ducey has likewise received more in campaign contributions from the DeVos family than any gubernatorial candidate across the country this election cycle, raking in $50,500 in donations.
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Other Republican candidates who have received money leading up to the November elections include John James of Michigan, who received $48,000; Rep. Kevin Cramer (R) of North Dakota, who landed $16,000 from the DeVos family this year; and Leah Vukmir of Wisconsin, who collected $27,000.
- During this election cycle, the DeVos family has also contributed $1 million to the Freedom Partners Action Fund—a political action fund that has long been associated with far-right causes; $350,000 to the Republican Congressional Leadership Fund; and another $400,000 to the Republican National Committee.
The DeVoses’ political donations could explain why so many Republicans continue to support President Donald Trump’s secretary of education, despite deep public opposition to her policies. Gov. Ducey, for instance, recently announced his support for Proposition 305, which would divert funding for public schools to support an expansion of the state’s private school voucher program. For years, Secretary DeVos has pursued similar efforts in the Department of Education’s annual budget request.
Click here to read: “How the DeVos Family Is Buying Political Sway Ahead of the Midterm Elections” by Ulrich Boser and Perpetual Baffour
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected] or 202-741-6292.