Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is blaming her subpar first quarter fundraising haul — $3 million — on backlash to her leadership in calling for former Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) to resign after allegations of sexual harassment.
There is “no question” that the fundraising “was adversely impacted by certain establishment donors — and many online — who continue to punish Kirsten for standing up for her values and for women,” the Gillibrand campaign told the Washington Post.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is currently leading the pack with $18.2 million from the first quarter. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) then former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) follow behind, with $12 million and $9.4 million, respectively.
Gillibrand was the first senator to call for Franken’s resignation in 2017, a move that rankled some top donors.
