Tacoma, Washington – Today, after a cryptocurrency Super PAC primarily funded by Trump donors bought $1.4 million in TV and digital ads in Washington’s Sixth District, Eve Zhurbinskiy, Campaign Manager for Hilary Franz for Congress, released the following statement:
“Elections should be decided by the people – not outside MAGA-funded Super PACs seeking to buy members of Congress. It’s crystal clear: Emily Randall is benefiting from $1.4 million in cryptocurrency spending because she’s sold out our district to the highest bidder. Unlike Randall, Hilary can’t be bought, and will always do what’s right for the people of our district.”
Statement from Puyallup Tribe Chairman Bill Sterud
“For over 20 years, Tribes have worked hand-in-hand with Hilary Franz to protect our lands and waters. Hilary is supported by nearly every Tribe in the Sixth District because she’s the only candidate we trust to always protect our lands, waters, and sovereignty.
That’s why I’m appalled that an out-of-state cryptocurrency Super PAC is coming in at the last minute to buy this election for her opponent, Emily Randall, undermining the will of Tribes, and the ability of local voters to decide. I condemn this dark money spending and urge every voter to cast their ballot for Hilary – I trust her to defend the rights of everyone, and to never be bought by the highest bidder.”
Statement from Ricky Walsh, IAFF 7th District Vice President representing all career firefighters and EMS personnel in WA, ID, AK and MT
“This Trump-donor backed Super PAC is putting a giant fist on the scale of democracy. We have an exceptionally qualified proven leader who has repeatedly delivered for our firefighters, first responders, and our communities, and this group has decided to control the election by pouring in over $1.4 million against her. This is an assault on our democratic process.”
Statement from Mark Riker, Executive Secretary, Washington Building & Construction Trades Council
“Over 40 labor unions and workers in this community have come together for Hilary, because she has worked tirelessly on the ground in every corner of this district for us and our communities. Elections belong to the people, we are not going to stand idly by and let outside billionaires buy this seat from us.”
About Randall’s Super PAC
The largest donors to Randall’s Super PAC Protect Progress include billionaires Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, who recently endorsed Donald Trump. In fact, on Sunday, Randall’s own endorsers called the Super PAC supporting her “a blatant effort by an outside group to silence the voices of over half a million Latinos.” Another Randall endorser has called cryptocurrency Super PACs “a handful of greedy billionaires rigging an election.”
Randall’s support from a MAGA-funded Super PAC runs counter to her repeated disingenuous claim that her campaign is powered by grassroots donors, not big money. She has now benefitted from over $1.7 million in outside spending, the vast majority of which is from the MAGA-funded cryptocurrency Super PAC.
Protect Progress’ buy in support of Randall totals $1.4 million in broadcast, cable, and digital ads, and will run from today through the primary election. Their TV buy is depicted below.
About Hilary Franz
Franz’s roots in the Sixth District run deep – she grew up spending time and working on her grandparents’ farm near the Tacoma Mall, where they first settled in 1938. She lives in Grays Harbor County, raised her three boys in Kitsap County, and has a long history of public service in the district. Prior to serving as Lands Commissioner, Franz served on the Bainbridge Island City Council from 2008-2011, where she secured significant federal investments in transportation infrastructure, developed affordable housing policies, secured protections on critical fish and wildlife habitat, and launched a nationally recognized energy efficiency program.
