Yesterday, Sara Gideon, Chuck Schumer’s choice for Maine Democrats, announced she was running for the Senate. In an effort to win over the Maine progressives who have already flocked to other candidates like Betsy Sweet and Bre Kidman, Gideon attacked Susan Collins for taking money from drug and insurance companies, and also pledged not take any Corporate PAC money.
But wait a second…
As Mainers (including Maine Democrats) have noted, Gideon HERSELF has taken a significant amount of money from drug and insurance companies.
She has also taken significant contributions from Corporate PACs and special interest groups.
Worth noting that while @SaraGideonME says she won't take corporate PAC money in 2020, her state leadership PAC (which raised $272,000 from 2014-19) was taking it through December. https://t.co/SBiOoFiakp #mepolitics
— Michael Shepherd (@mikeshepherdME) June 24, 2019
Also, just… just LOOK at her leadership PAC. Comcast. Verizon. Spectrum. AT&T. Merck. Eli Lilly. Anthem Blue Cross.
In WHAT world are those not special interests? BK https://t.co/xsyGWFxHYD pic.twitter.com/ecjXdoAJjB
— bre kidman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🌹🦞 (@BeeKay4ME) June 24, 2019
Docs show Sara Gideon built career on corporate donations, used funds to boost US Senate campaign
Or you could choose a Maine candidate who hasn’t been funded by pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and ISPs working against net neutrality. Added perk: first non-binary candidate for senate in US history. https://t.co/jHGd724Pr8
— bre kidman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🌹🦞 (@BeeKay4ME) June 25, 2019
They’ve even blasted her for fundraising during the legislative session.
Fair. Though I maintain that payments from PACs during session where you have direct influence seem… kinda problematic.
How about this one she didn’t show up for? https://t.co/3jf6zNGO1V pic.twitter.com/0fmNV6uCKg
— bre kidman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🌹🦞 (@BeeKay4ME) June 24, 2019
Remember that time Gideon didn’t show up to vote on the bill about lobbyists paying legislators after being called out for skirting fundraising rules with top dollar party fundraisers during session? & all the other finance votes she stepped out for? BK https://t.co/uCsP5RxFYp pic.twitter.com/KoipQrwXJI
— bre kidman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🌹🦞 (@BeeKay4ME) June 20, 2019
The bottom line: If you’re going to make a major campaign promise, make sure you haven’t already violated it. Because the internet keeps receipts.