Sinema left office but her campaign continues to spend lavishly
Published in News & Features
WASHINGTON — Kyrsten Sinema retired from the Senate more than six months ago, but the Arizona independent’s campaign account remains quite active.
The latest filing by her Sinema for Arizona committee shows disbursements totaling more than $391,000 from March 31 to June 30 on hotels, entry fees to airport lounges, in-flight WiFi, office supplies, restaurant meals and a host of other expenses. The account also documents spending at wineries and more than $71,000 on airfare.
Sinema is now in the private sector, serving as a senior adviser at global law and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells. She has not campaigned for office since March 2024, when she announced that she would not seek a second Senate term. A request for comment through her firm was not returned.
Among Sinema’s disclosures were more than $108,000 in security-related expenses, including more than $4,600 in ticket admissions for her security detail to events such as Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Ohana festival in Dana Point, California. She also reported $616 for “security detail ski tickets” in Aspen, Colorado.
Former members who leave office with balances in their campaign accounts have multiple options. Some give refunds. Most often, they donate the money to political committees and charities or hang on to the funds to dole out after they’ve left office. Some may keep their political money around in case they run again.
All continue to face disclosure requirements, and there are limits on how much they can donate to candidates or other PACs. They may give an unlimited amount, however, from their reelection accounts to party committees.
Sinema’s unorthodox spending is concerning, said Michael Beckel, a senior research director at Issue One, a bipartisan political reform organization.
“It’s not typical for a former member of Congress to be spending money in this fashion,’’ Beckel said. “Campaign committees are prohibited from using the money they raise from donors for politicians’ personal use, and when you see such lavish and extravagant spending, especially by someone who’s left office, it raises really serious questions.”
This isn’t the first time Sinema’s campaign spending has raised questions. In 2023, an Arizona-based political action committee asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate allegations that the then-senator “illegally diverted funds” intended for her campaign for her personal use. The complaint was dismissed.
And late last year, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics filed a complaint with the FEC alleging that Sinema used her campaign account to pay for personal expenses, including trips to Europe and California wine country. The commission has yet to rule on the matter.
Beckel said the spending detailed in Sinema’s most recent campaign finance report merits further scrutiny.
“Our existing structure is supposed to be a bulwark against flagrant misuse of political money,” he said. “This is a situation that raises questions that our existing structures should be able to pursue, whether that’s the FEC or the (Department of Justice). This isn’t a situation where Congress needs to pass some clarifying rules because the rules are already very clear.”
First elected as a Democrat, to the House in 2012 and the Senate in 2018, Sinema left the party in December 2022, decrying partisan divisions. She built a reputation as a moderate and a deal-maker, but often drew the wrath of progressives over, among other reasons, her opposition to getting rid of Senate filibuster rules, which would have made it easier for Democrats to advance their priorities under the Biden administration.
Sinema’s seat is now occupied by Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego.
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