U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn is the presumed frontrunner for the GOP nomination for Tennessee Governor.
She’s a former state Senator and Congresswoman who has made a career in politics.
She’s also an enthusiastic supporter of school vouchers.
It’s interesting, though, that her financial support seems to come from out-of-state.
The Tennessean reports:
In the Republican primary for Tennessee governor, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has out-fundraised her rival U.S. Rep. John Rose, bringing in $2.8 million in contributions – more than 10 times more than Rose’s $259,227 haul.
But while 97% of Rose’s donations came from inside Tennessee, just 28% of Blackburn’s donors live here.
Meanwhile, Blackburn has spent only $1.1 million compared with Rose’s $7.2 million in spending. The senior senator has benefited from more than $2.5 million in spending by out-of-state funded political action groups.
Among those supporting Blackburn? Billionaire Jeff Yass - who spent millions to help elect pro-voucher legislators in both Texas and Tennessee.
Lee was helped in his voucher quest by the School Freedom Fund and its top donor, Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass. Yass’s group spent more than $4 million to support pro-voucher GOP legislative candidates - winning key primaries and delivering the votes to get Lee’s voucher scheme across the finish line.
Now, Yass is taking sides in the race to replace Lee. Yass is the largest single contributor in the gubernatorial race, giving $1 million to a political action committee (PAC) supporting Marsha Blackburn, according to Tennessee Lookout.
Other notable out-of-state rich folks seeking to buy influence with Blackburn include:
The CEO of Jimmy John’s, an heir to the Walmart fortune, and a billionaire heiress from New York. Oh, and General Motors.
Blackburn does have some in-state support among these PAC contributors, though - including $100,000 from the payday predators at Advance Financial.
Re "72% of funds spent to help elect Blackburn come from out-of-state"
This is influence peddling, pure and simple. We need a law that donations cannot come from anyone or any company outside of the district of the elected official involved. Why should people outside of Tennessee have any say as to who represents Tennessee in our federal government?