In a recent analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, reports have illuminated that Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) incurred significant expenses in the last quarter of 2023. Despite a low fundraising total, the Senator’s spending reached nearly $800,000.
During the period from October to December, official documents reveal that Senator Sinema’s expenditures amounted to $796,565. This sum included costs for accommodation at high-end hotels, the lease of a new automobile, and event tickets, with a substantial portion of $265,521 allocated for security measures.
These security expenses were detailed further, showing outlays such as $77,000 for a new Chevrolet vehicle and $1,523 for event tickets for her security personnel. Interestingly, the event tickets procured include those for a date at the Red Rocks Amphitheater where no events were scheduled, leading to speculation about the nature of the use.
Other notable security-related spending from less than two years prior includes $70,000 on a Chevrolet vehicle designated for her own “security detail,” as well as for an associate engaged in her security apparatus, according to past reports.
The manner in which these vehicles are registered could impact their custody post her Washington D.C. tenure. Vehicles registered to the Senator herself will remain in her possession regardless of whether she maintains her congressional seat after the next electoral cycle.
The expenditure report also accounts for nearly $3,000 on vehicle rentals during stays in London and Paris. Campaign finance experts suggest that such standalone international expenses might hint at personal use, as they are not coupled with other campaign-related outflows abroad.
Senator Sinema has faced previous scrutiny for her spending on luxurious amenities and has recently shifted her party status to an Independent in 2022. Looking forward, she might confront a challenging campaign for re-election, contending with candidates from both major political parties.
