“Patrick Murphy tells voters how much he ‘hates super PACs,’ but he’s been benefitting from millions in super PAC donations from his father at the exact same time. Patrick Murphy has been caught lying to Floridians so many times that his hypocrisy on super PACs is just another reason why Floridians can’t trust him.” – Michael Ahrens, Rubio spokesman
Today, the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Murphy’s father gave another $1 million to a super PAC supporting his son’s campaign.
Tampa Bay Times: “Tom Murphy Jr.’s generous political donations to help his youngest son’s U.S. Senate bid keep on coming.” “Patrick Murphy’s father gave another $1 million to a major Democratic super PAC last month, just 10 days before the group pulled $6 million in planned ads out of Florida as Murphy’s campaign struggled to gain ground on Republican incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio in September.” (Kristen M. Clark, “Patrick Murphy’s dad also gave another $1M to a Democratic super PAC last month,” Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/16)
- Murphy’s father has “spent at least $2.8 million” to benefit his son’s Senate campaign. “Tom Murphy’s latest major gift to the Senate Majority PAC — revealed in a new campaign finance disclosure report filed Thursday — means he’s spent at least $2.8 million on Democratic efforts directly supporting Patrick Murphy this cycle.” (Kristen M. Clark, “Patrick Murphy’s dad also gave another $1M to a Democratic super PAC last month,” Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/16)
- “It was the second $1 million contribution Tom Murphy made to the Senate Majority PAC since this summer…” “It was the second $1 million contribution Tom Murphy made to the Senate Majority PAC since this summer — and it came on the same day in September he also gave another $250,000 to ‘Floridians for a Strong Middle Class,’ a super PAC dedicated to supporting Murphy’s Senate campaign. Earlier this year, Murphy’s father previously also gave $500,000 — through himself and Coastal — to the pro-Murphy super PAC.” (Kristen M. Clark, “Patrick Murphy’s dad also gave another $1M to a Democratic super PAC last month,” Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/16)
- “Patrick Murphy has come under scrutiny because of his father’s generous support.” “Patrick Murphy has come under scrutiny because of his father’s generous support. His former primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, and at least one conservative group have each alleged Tom Murphy’s donations constitute illegal coordination between Murphy’s campaign and the independent super PACs — something Murphy’s campaign has called a ‘frivolous and unfounded attack.’ Murphy has made campaign finance reform one of his campaign platforms — saying earlier this year, he ‘hates’ super PACs — but he hasn’t spoken out against his father’s six- and seven-figure donations on his behalf. Rather he’s expressed gratitude for the support from his father, whom he frequently describes as his ‘best friend and mentor.;” (Kristen M. Clark, “Patrick Murphy’s dad also gave another $1M to a Democratic super PAC last month,” Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/16)
But Murphy decries money in politics, saying he “hates” super PACs.
Murphy in April 2016: “I hate super PACs.” “Patrick Murphy has been a critic of super PACs and the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling that helped pave the way for them. Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, businesses and unions and make unlimited expenditures in support of a candidate, but cannot coordinate their activities with the candidate’s campaign. ‘I hate super PACs. I think Citizens United was one of the biggest mistakes in our country’s history,’ Murphy reiterated today.” (George Bennett, “‘I hate super PACs,’ says Patrick Murphy after father, business give $500,000 to one,” Palm Beach Post, 4/18/16)
Murphy called the prevalence of big money in politics “disgusting.” “Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy assured an audience Friday that he finds the prevalence of big money in politics ‘disgusting’ and that he is determined to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors to unlimited donations by individuals and corporations.” (Adam Smith, “Senate Candidate Murphy Wants Money Out Of Politics, But Not His Father’s,” Tampa Bay Times, 3/4/16)
Murphy criticized super PACs supporting Allen West, saying: “The amount of money spent in this election, and really most elections across the country, is gross.” “‘The amount of money spent in this election, and really most elections across the country, is gross. It’s horrible, and I plan on being an advocate for serious campaign finance reform. It’s horrible what’s happened to our political process,’ Murphy said. ‘But other than that, this race was never about me, it was about the voters. It was about the people and insuring they had the representation that they wanted. So I’m glad that despite being outspent 5-to-1 by Allen West and all these super PACs, we showed that money can’t buy elections — that voters got the moderate, business Democrat that they wanted.’”(Melissa E. Holsman, “What’s Next For Congressman-Elect Patrick Murphy,” TC Palm, 11/25/12)
Murphy has been called out in the press for his hypocrisy on super PACs.
Miami Herald: “Super PAC shuffle: Murphy ‘hates’ them, but family’s company gives $300K to one that backs him.” “Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy consistently expresses disdain for super PACs — even while being a shareholder in a family business that recently dumped $300,000 into a super PAC supporting his bid for higher office.” (Kristen M. Clark, “Super PAC shuffle: Murphy ‘hates’ them, but family’s company gives $300K to one that backs him,” Miami Herald, 4/19/16)
Tampa Bay Times: “Senate Candidate Murphy Wants Money Out Of Politics, But Not His Father’s.” “But when asked by the Tampa Bay Times about the possibility of cutting off the biggest source of money flowing into his U.S. Senate race — his Republican father, who so far has given at least $200,000 — Murphy made it clear he did not appreciate the question. ‘I hate the money in politics, and I hate the sort of gotcha questions, too,’ said the Palm Beach County congressman, drawing applause from members of the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.” (Adam Smith, “Senate Candidate Murphy Wants Money Out Of Politics, But Not His Father’s,” Tampa Bay Times, 3/4/16)
Palm Beach Post: “‘I hate super PACs,’ says Patrick Murphy after father, business give $500,000 to one.” “‘I had nothing to do with that,’ Patrick Murphy said of the super PAC contributions. The senior Murphy also gave $550,000 to super PACs (American Sunrise and House Majority PAC) that supported his son in 2012, when Patrick Murphy first ran for the House. Patrick Murphy has been a critic of super PACs and the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling that helped pave the way for them. Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from individuals, businesses and unions and make unlimited expenditures in support of a candidate, but cannot coordinate their activities with the candidate’s campaign. ‘I hate super PACs. I think Citizens United was one of the biggest mistakes in our country’s history,’ Murphy reiterated today.” (George Bennett, “‘I hate super PACs,’ says Patrick Murphy after father, business give $500,000 to one,” Palm Beach Post, 4/18/16)
Tampa Bay Times: “Patrick Murphy Bemoans Super PAC Era While Getting Super PAC Help.”(Alex Leary, “Patrick Murphy Bemoans Super PAC Era While Getting Super PAC Help,” Tampa Bay Times, 8/26/15)
- Murphy sends out fundraising emails criticizing super PACs, but Murphy’s father has pumped money into super PACs supporting Murphy’s campaigns. “The endorsement of Patrick Murphy by a group trying to roll back Citizens United has yet again illustrated a disconnect between Murphy’s public disdain for the Super PAC era and the way he has benefited from such groups. Murphy has been endorsed by End Citizens United and has sent out fundraising emails slamming the Supreme Court decision. Yet Murphy’s wealthy father has pumped money into a Super PAC supporting his House campaigns and Murphy was propped up by the House Majority PAC.” (Alex Leary, “Patrick Murphy Bemoans Super PAC Era While Getting Super PAC Help,”Tampa Bay Times, 8/26/15)
Murphy’s Senate campaign is benefiting from the support of several super PACs.
For the first time ever, Senate Majority PAC launched TV ads in a Democratic primary in order to support Patrick Murphy. “The leading Democratic Senate super PAC is planning to hit the airwaves in Florida next week with its first-ever television ads in a Democratic primary, as it seeks to shepherd a top recruit through a competitive intra-party contest in one of the nation’s foremost battlegrounds. Senate Majority PAC, which was founded by former aides to Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), plans to begin a $1 million television ad campaign next week, the group told The Washington Post. It will air ads on cable and broadcast networks in hopes of helping Rep. Patrick Murphy (D) win the primary.” (Sean Sullivan, “Senate Majority PAC To Hit Airwaves In Florida With First Ever Democratic Primary Ads,” The Washington Post, 7/15/16)
In April 2015, Floridians for a Strong Middle Class formed as a super PAC to support Murphy’s 2016 Senate campaign. “A new Super PAC has been formed to help elect U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, to the U.S. Senate seat now held by Marco Rubio. Floridians for a Strong Middle Class, which filed papers with the state earlier this week, is not bound by the $2,700 cap on individual contributions that Murphy’s campaign is, and it cannot directly coordinate with the Murphy campaign.” (Adam C. Smith, “Super PAC Emerges To Help Patrick Murphy For US Sen.,” Tampa Bay Times, 4/30/15)
Murphy’s father has given millions to super PACs supporting his son’s campaigns.
Thomas Murphy has “spent at least $2.8 million” to benefit his son’s Senate campaign. “Tom Murphy’s latest major gift to the Senate Majority PAC — revealed in a new campaign finance disclosure report filed Thursday — means he’s spent at least $2.8 million on Democratic efforts directly supporting Patrick Murphy this cycle.” (Kristen M. Clark, “Patrick Murphy’s dad also gave another $1M to a Democratic super PAC last month,” Tampa Bay Times, 10/21/16)
- On September 27, 2016, Thomas P. Murphy contributed $1,000,000 to Senate Majority PAC. (Senate Majority PAC, August Monthly Report, Federal Election Commission, Filed 10/20/16, Pg. 166)
- On September 27, 2016, Thomas P. Murphy contributed $250,000 to Floridians for a Stronger Middle Class.” (Floridians For A Stronger Middle Class, October Quarterly Report, Federal Election Commission, Filed 10/15/16, pg. 11)
- On July 13, 2016, Thomas P. Murphy contributed $1,000,000 to Senate Majority PAC.(Senate Majority PAC, August Monthly Report, Federal Election Commission, Filed 8/19/16, Pg. 585)
- On March 31, 2016, Coastal Construction Group contributed $300,000 to Floridians for a Strong Middle Class. (Floridians For A Stronger Middle Class, April Quarterly Report, Federal Election Commission, Filed 4/15/16, pg. 6)
- On December 18, 2015, Thomas P. Murphy, Jr. contributed $200,000 to Floridians for a Strong Middle Class. (Floridians For A Stronger Middle Class, Year End Report, Federal Election Commission, Filed 1/31/16, pg. 12)
In 2012, Murphy’s father contributed $300,000 to House Majority PAC and $250,000 to American Sunrise super PAC. “Murphy’s father, Coastal Construction Group CEO Thomas Murphy Jr., gave $300,000 to House Majority PAC and $250,000 to a super PAC called American Sunrise. Individuals were allowed to make unlimited independent political expenditures before Citizens United.” (“GOP Slams Murphy For Thanking PACs,” Palm Beach Post, 2/4/13)
- Murphy’s father “largely funded” the American Sunrise PAC to support his son’s congressional campaign. “West’s ad also says, ‘Now Murphy is hiding behind his dad again using his money to fund a negative campaign.’ That’s a reference to the American Sunrise PAC that is largely funded by Murphy’s father who gave $250,000.” (Amy Sherman, “Allen West Ad Connects Patrick Murphy’s Case Being Dropped And Donations By His Dad,” Tampa Bay Times/PolitiFact, 11/2/12)
Murphy actually helps and thanks the super PACs he rails against.
Tampa Bay Times Headline: “Patrick Murphy: I Hate Super PACs But Here’s Some Video They Can Use.” (Alex Leary, “Patrick Murphy: I Hate Super Pacs But Here’s Some Video They Can Use,” Tampa Bay Times, 3/30/16)
- Murphy posted over 5 minutes of b-roll footage on his campaign website that could be used by a super PAC in an ad benefiting Murphy.” “There’s Patrick Murphy strolling on a beach with a young man. They appear to be engaged in serious talk, and Murphy points to the horizon, but the video is silent. … The 5 minute 42 second video posted on the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate’s campaign website isn’t for the public. It’s ‘b-roll’ to be used by super PACs or another outside group that wants to make a positive ad on Murphy’s behalf.” (Alex Leary, “Patrick Murphy: I Hate Super Pacs But Here’s Some Video They Can Use,” Tampa Bay Times, 3/30/16)
- VIDEO: Murphy the b-roll on his campaign website. (Murphy For Florida, “Video,” Accessed 3/24/16)
Despite slamming super PACs and the influence of big money in 2012, Murphy “appeared in a testimonial video for House Majority PAC” thanking the organization in 2013. “Campaigning as a fresh-faced outsider in 2012, Democratic congressional hopeful Patrick Murphy often slammed super PACs and the influence of big money in politics. So, Republicans pounced last week when newly sworn-in Rep. Murphy of Jupiter appeared in a testimonial video for House Majority PAC. The PAC is a Democratic organ that raised $35.8 million in 2011-12 by taking advantage of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which allows corporations and labor unions to make unlimited political expenditures if the spending isn’t coordinated with candidates.” (“GOP Slams Murphy For Thanking PACs,” Palm Beach Post, 2/4/13)
- At $2.4 Million, House Majority PAC “spent more in this race than any other nationwide.”“House Majority PAC today offered congratulations to Patrick Murphy on what appears to be a victory over Allen West in FL-18. House Majority PAC spent $2,400,000 in FL-18 airing multiple TV ads and creating a substantial mail program. House Majority PAC spent more in this race than any other nationwide – and was the top-spending Democratic group in FL-18.”(House Majority PAC, “House Majority PAC Congratulates Patrick Murphy In FL-18,” Press Release, 11/7/12)
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