A Trump megadonor leans into a tight swing-state Democratic primary

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Filings with the state Department of Elections reviewed by The Independent indicate that O’Connor has taken donations this cycle from several major Republican donors who’ve funded GOP candidates like Trump — and bankrolled any challenge to candidates aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Patel’s campaign was described at one point as representing an “onslaught of far-right cash” against incumbent Summer Lee, a congresswoman and member of “The Squad.” An email provided to The Independent also indicated that O’Connor was due to meet in February with two GOP operatives closely tied to Yass, Jeff Kendall and Kent Gates. The campaign did not know who would be in attendance in advance.” One Pennsylvania-based Democratic operative described the group to The Independent as a network of wealthy conservatives who “meddle in Democratic primaries to replace people-powered leaders who’ve stood up to Trump and won with corporate-bought politicians willing to bend to MAGA billionaires’ and their right wing agenda.” open image in gallery Dave McCormick was a top recipient of donations from two periodic Republican donors also supporting Corey O’Connor’s campaign. The influx of money tied to the GOP is making a clear impact on the Pittsburgh mayoral primary: Lee and another target of Yass’s operatives, County Executive Sara Innamorato, have lined up in Gainey’s camp — while O’Connor enjoyed his best fundraising month of the race in January, and outraised the incumbent 20-to-1.