Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will be headlining a virtual fundraising event for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-AZ) main rival on Thursday, despite not formally endorsing either politician.
Pelosi has been revealed as the special guest for Rep. Ruben Gallego’s (D-AZ) virtual fundraiser, according to an invitation to the event obtained by NBC News.
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The invitation recommends that donors contribute anywhere from $500 for guests, to $6,600 for sponsors. Those attending as “friends” are suggested to donate $3,300 to the campaign, while supporters are encouraged to give $1,000. The event will take place on Thursday, June 29, at 4 p.m. local time, and 7 p.m. EDT.
Pelosi’s appearance at the fundraiser is an unusual move for the former speaker, who typically does not weigh in on left-leaning infighting. Pelosi has not endorsed many candidates for 2024 so far, but she did endorse Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) in February to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who is retiring next year.
The Arizona seat is considered a crucial seat for Democrats to retain in 2024 in order to maintain a majority in the Senate. Sinema left the Democratic Party late last year and has not announced a bid for reelection so far. However, Democrats fear that if she does run, it could fracture Democratic voters and give the seat to Republicans. Democrats currently hold a small majority in the Senate.
Other Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have also refrained from endorsing a candidate in Arizona’s U.S. Senate race so far.
The Arizona independent has clashed with Democratic leadership in the Senate multiple times since she took office in 2019. Recent clashes include opposing raising the federal minimum wage and raising certain taxes on corporations and the wealthy in the Build Back Better plan.
Sinema and Gallego both opposed Pelosi for House speaker in the past. Sinema, who served in the House from 2013-2019, did not support keeping the former Democratic leader as speaker in 2015 and 2016, but Gallego only opposed Pelosi in 2016.
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Sinema’s break from the party on key votes has fueled some of Gallego’s criticism of his fellow Arizonian, claiming she was fighting “for the interests of Big Pharma and Wall Street at our expense.”
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Gallego’s Senate campaign, Pelosi, and Sinema for comment.
