FDP Calls on Trump and FL Republicans to Donate NRA Money to Charity
September 28, 2019
In Light of News that the NRA was a “Russian Foreign Asset” in 2016 Elections, FDP Calls on Trump and FL Republicans to Donate NRA Money to Charity President Trump and Florida Republicans must return the money or be seen as complicit in supporting Russian agents interfering with US Democratic elections. Tallahassee, Fl. –– In a detailed report presented by Senator Ron Wyden and the Senate Finance Committee, the National Rifle Association acted as a foreign asset of Russia during the 2016 election. In light of this information, the Florida Democratic Party calls on President Donald Trump and Florida’s elected officials to give all donations connected to the NRA to charity. Terrie Rizzo, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, released the following statement: “The NRA has stood for the corrupted interests of the weapons industry for some time, but now the organization is serving as a foreign asset to Russians who want to interfere in our free and open elections. If the President and Florida Republicans do not want to be seen as complicit in attempts by the Russian government to destroy our democracy they have a duty to return or donate the money and remove the NRA’s tainted influence from our government.” Here is a list of current and former elected officials that received NRA funds in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 election cycles. Data from Open Secrets: 2020 Cycle President Donald Trump: $16,800 Rep. Gus Bilirakis: $1,000 2018 Cycle Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart: $3,000 (gave back $1,000 in 2020 cycle) Rep. Neal Dunn: $3,000 Rep. Greg Steube: $3,000 Rep. Matt Gaetz: $2,500 Rep. Mike Miller: $2,000 Rep. Tom Rooney: $1,000 Rep. Ross Spano: $1,000 Rep. Ted Yoho: $1,000 Please note Rep. Brian Mast, and Rep. Michael Waltz each received $1,000 in 2018 and both gave back $1,000 in the 2020 cycle. 2016 Cycle Rep. Brian Mast: $4,950 Rep. John Mica: $4,000 (Returned $2,000 in 2018) Rep. Carlos Curbelo: $2,500 Rep. Jeff Miller: $2,500 Rep. Gus Bilirakis: $2,000 Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart: $2,000 Rep. Bill Posey: $2,000 Rep. Dennis Ross,: $2,000 Rep. Neal Dunn: $1,750 Former Gov. Jeb Bush: $1,000 Rep. Ander Crenshaw: $1,000 Then Rep. Ron DeSantis: $1,000 Rep. Matt Gaetz: $1,000 Rep. Tom Rooney: $1,000 Rep. John Rutherford: $1,000 Rep. Ted Yoho: $1,000 Note: Marco Rubio received $9,900 in 2016 and returned $9,900 in 2018. Rep. Daniel Webster and Rep. Francis Rooney each received $1,000 in 2016 and returned it in 2018. A note on Open Secrets numbers: “The organization itself did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PACs, their individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate family members. Organizations themselves cannot contribute to candidates and party committees. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.”
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alex Morash
774-208-8291