In the final months before retiring from her post as a former Democratic-turned-independent Senator, Kyrsten Sinema’s campaign organization spent almost $700,000, with a significant portion of that being spent on international travel and luxury accommodations. This included over $20,000 at a hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as expenses at upscale hotels in various locations in the U.S. The campaign also spent money on airfare, security services, and other expenses related to winding down Sinema’s time in office.
The spending raised eyebrows, especially in comparison to other retiring senators. Sinema’s campaign had faced scrutiny for questionable spending in the past, including on foreign travel. The Federal Election Commission guidelines state that campaign funds can be used for expenses related to one’s duties as a federal officeholder or winding down a committee, but not for personal use.
Sinema’s campaign also made payments for fundraising and event consulting, including to a firm run by one of her top fundraisers. Additionally, expenses were incurred for meals, event catering, car services, automobile insurance, and event gifts, among others. The campaign ended the year with almost $4.3 million remaining in its bank account.
Requests to reach Sinema’s campaign for comment were unsuccessful, as former staffers did not respond, and Sinema’s personal website was offline. Despite raising only a small amount in the final months, Sinema’s campaign spent significantly on various expenses during that time period.
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