Senator Kyrsten Sinema spent over $800,000 of campaign funds in just three months, including $265,000 on security – with staffers saying ‘She’s Howard Hughes level paranoid’

With dwindling campaign funds and questions about whether she will even run for re-election, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema spent $1 million with that money in the final three months of 2023.

The Arizona independent, who quit the Democratic Party in 2022, spent nearly $200,000 more than what it raised, handing out $796,565 in campaign cash in the fourth quarter of the year, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

At least $265,521 was spent on security costs, including $77,000 on a new Chevrolet and $1,523 on event tickets for her bodyguards, including $490 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.

It’s unclear what type of car she bought, it was only listed as a ‘van’ and the tickets also didn’t mention what event her security would be attending.

This isn’t the first time Sinema has spent money on a car, having spent $70,000 less than two years ago on a Chevrolet “security detail vehicle” for herself and a second for a friend on her security team. the New York Post.

A former employee called her “insane” spending on security “Howard Hughes-level paranoid.”

Sinema raised just $594,816 in Q4 2023. With both a Democrat and a Republican set to challenge her in 2024 and an April 8 deadline to get on the ballot, many are wondering whether she is a candidate.

If she loses re-election — or even if she doesn’t run at all — she gets to keep those vehicles.

Sinema also spent $3,028 on vehicles during trips to both London and Paris, although it is unclear whether these were for personal use or for security. She also paid $116,000 on privately chartered air travel in 2023.

Although the senator still has about $10 million in cash on hand, nearly a third of her fundraising consisted of money siphoned from her own Sinema Leadership Fund.

While it is unclear whether she will run again, she continues to host high-quality fundraising events, with an invitation to a $10,000 “weekend with Senator Kyrsten Sinema” currently being distributed to donors.

She hasn’t held a public event in Arizona in a year. Sinema has not commented on her expenses.

Sinema has been a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders and angry liberals for her failure to support some of President Joe Biden’s social programs.

Sinema spent $1,523 in tickets to events for her bodyguards, including $490 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado

The senator also spent $3,028 on vehicles during trips to both London and Paris, although it is unclear whether these were for personal use or for security.

At least $265,521 was spent on security costs, including $77,000 on a new Chevrolet

Sinema’s controversial positions and her move to independent status led to questions about whether she would seek a second term. She is currently still consulting with the Democrats so that they can maintain their one-seat majority in the Senate.

But others argue that Sinema has shown remarkable political savvy and established himself as an influential power player in the Senate.

She was front and center in the ring during negotiations on some of the biggest pieces of legislation before Congress. But she has also refused to support some of the Democratic leadership’s priorities, such as ending the filibuster.

She stands out not only for her political power, but also for her fashion sense: she is hard to miss in her colorful outfits. During the pandemic, she wore brightly colored wigs and said it was because she couldn’t get to the salon.

She has tried to align herself with the late Arizona Sen. John McCain, who proudly boasted of his “maverick” nickname and his ability to weave along political lines.

Even before switching parties, she hung around on the Republican side of the aisle and formed a close friendship with Republican Senator Mitt Romney.

Rep. Ruben Gallego is the likely favorite for the Democratic nomination this fall, with failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake the most prominent Republican in the race.