Betsy DeVos, with an estimated net worth of $5.1 billion, has invested at least $200 million buying influence from mostly Republicans and some Democrats. In Florida, Marco Rubio received $98,000 from DeVos and that’s not all. DeVos has covered her bases across the states. In fact seven of the Senators on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee received generous donations from DeVos and went on to approve her nomination setting her up for a full vote on the Senate floor, Tuesday, February 7th .
Like many ambitious politicians, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s need for cash creates conflict over being true to voters or appeasing donors able to secure political futures. Sadly, money wins almost every time.
Job one for every politician is raising cash either for themselves or for the dark money PACs they run. Even first term politicians know their votes are payback for campaign cash. Constituents be damned. That’s why in the face of an estimated three million calls and letters in opposition, folks like Marco Rubio will close his email box, shut down his voice mail and vote yes for U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos.
When it comes to pay to play politics, the single, most powerful force standing between voters and money is we, the people. Know this for 2018. The stakes are exponentially high.
For now, contact Sen. Marco Rubio and all the others who took money from Betsy DeVos. Let them know, it’s time to pay the real piper – the voters.
Sen. Marco Rubio:
- Orlando Office: 407-254-2573
Miami Office: 305-418-8553
Tampa Office: 813-287-5035
Palm Beach Office: 561-775-3360
DC Office: 202-224-3041 - www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
- Twitter: @marcorubio
Here’s a list of Senators under the influence of Betsy DeVos:
SEVEN H.E.L.P Members who took cash from Betsy DeVos plus Twitter Handles & Emails. Call them out!
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R, TN – DeVos Cash $2,500: @SenAlexander www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email
Sen. Richard Burr, R, NC – DeVos Cash $43,200: @SenatorBurr www.burr.senate.gov/contact/email
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R, LA – DeVos Cash $70,200: @BillCassidy www.cassidy.senate.gov/contact
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R, UT – DeVos Cash $2,000: @SenOrrinHatch www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact?p=Email-Orrin
VOTING NO ON DEVOS: Sen. Lisa Murkowksi, R, AK – DeVos Cash $40,500: @LisaMurkowski www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Sen. Todd Young, R, IN – DeVos Cash $48,600: @SenToddYoung
Sen. Tim Scott, R, SC – DeVos Cash $49,200: @SenatorTimScott www.scott.senate.gov/contact/email-me
Breakdown of Florida politicians under the influence of Betsy DeVos:
Name Amount Year Party
Al Lawson for Congress $1,000.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Al Jacquet $500.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Betty Reed $1,000.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Bob Healy $1,000.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Darrell Rouson $1,000.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Dianne Williams-Cox $500.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Gary Siplin $1,000.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Jim Waldman $500.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Mary Estime-lrvin $500.00 2016 D
Campaign to Elect Virginia Saviett o $500.00 2016 D
Committee to Elect Anitiere Flores $1,000.00 2016 R
Committee to Elect Anitiere Flores $1,000.00 2016 R
Marco Rubio for US Senate $5,400.00 2016 R
Mica for Congress $2,700.00 2016 R
Republican Party of Florida $10,000.00 2016 R
Soto for Congress $2,700.00 2016 D
Buddy Dyer for Mayor $1,000.00 2015 D
Carlos Curbelo Congress $1,000.00 2014 R
Committee to Elect Daphne Campbell $1,000.00 2014 D
Committee to Elect Diane Williams-Cox $1,000.00 2014 D
Committee to Elect Gary Siplin $1,000.00 2014 D
Committee to Elect Jeff Brandes $1,000.00 2014 R
Committee to Elect Manny Diaz $1,000.00 2014 R
Frank Brunner for School Board $1,000.00 2014
Johnny Gaffney for Florida House $1,000.00 2014 D
Lizbeth Benequisto for Congress $2,600.00 2014 R
Melody Johnson for School Board $1,000.00 2014
Rick Scott for Governor $5,000.00 2014 R
Shawn Frost for School Board $1,000.00 2014
Committee to Elect Michael Joseph $1,000.00 2014 D
Jeff Atwater for CFO $3,000.00 2013 R
Pam Bondi for Attorney General $500.00 2013 R
Teresa Jacobs for Mayor $250.00 2013 R
Al Lawson for Congress $1,000.00 2012 D
Allen West for Congress 1, 000 2012 R
Bobby Powell for State House $500.00 2012 D
Friends of Connie Mack $1,000.00 2012 R
John Patrick Julien for State House $500.00 2012 D
Mack Bernard for State Senate $500.00 2012 D
Victoria Siplin for State Senate $500.00 2012 D
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