Joe Manchin raises more than $1 million from donors including Patriots owner, Wall Street exec, energy giants

Sen. Joe Manchin’s re-election campaign raised more than $1 million in three months thanks to donations from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, several Wall Street leaders and energy giants.

The latest fundraising rush from wealthy business leaders and corporations came in the second quarter, which ended at the end of June two weeks ago, according to Federal Election Commission records. The donation arrived as Manchin, a conservative Democrat from West Virginia, engaged in negotiations on climate change and tax law, which are priorities for President Joe Biden and his party.

This week, he said he would not proceed with further discussions on these provisions.

munchkin, in Interviewed on West Virginia’s Metronews’ “Talkline” On Friday, he said he wanted to put a hold on the party’s climate and tax policy proposals until after the next next national report on inflation data. inflation June saw an increase of over 9%.

Manchin previously rejected Biden’s proposal for more than $1 trillion in social and climate spending, known as Build Back Better. Representatives for Munchkin did not respond to a request for comment.

Business and Wall Street leaders have praised Munchkin as upholding his party’s agenda. He himself saw a wave of donations from corporate leaders and big energy companies ahead of his latest decision to halt his party’s policy goals.

In May, Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone and longtime investor Stanley Druckenmiller co-hosted a meet-and-greet breakfast for Munchkins, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked for the event to be private. Since then declined to be named.

Langone previously praised Munchkin CNBC And said he would host “one of the biggest fundraisers I’ve ever had for him.” Calls to the offices of Langone and Druckenmiller were not returned.

PAC donated to Manchin’s campaign last quarter for energy companies like Coterra Energy, NextEra Energy and Xcel Energy. Those businesses could be affected if Congress passes a climate bill. West Virginia produces crude oil, natural gas and coal.

The American Exploration and Production Council gave $1,700 to Manchin’s campaign in June. That trade association represents “the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States,” according to its website. The group lists gas and oil giants as members, including Hayes, Chesapeake Energy and ConocoPhillips. Trade associations and energy companies that donated to Munchkin’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Southern company Gas CEO Kim Green contributed at least $2,900 to Munchkin’s campaign in June. A spokesman for Southern Company Gas declined to comment.

Munchkin is set to be re-elected in the next presidential campaign year, 2024. His campaign’s latest filing states that he has just over $9 million.

Patriots owner Kraft donated two checks worth $2,900 to Munchkin’s re-election campaign in May. According to Forbes, Kraft has a net worth of just over $8 billion. An individual can pay $5,800 for a campaign, of which a maximum of $2,900 is earmarked for the primary election account and the other half for the general election.

His son, Patriots president Jonathan Kraft, gave Manchin the same amount that same month. A Patriots spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Wall Street hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones also gave Manchin two checks for $2,900 two months ago. Forbes says that Jones’ net worth is around $7 billion. A spokesman for Jones declined to comment.

Investment Bank Stephens Inc. CEO Warren Stephens also made the most of Manchin’s campaign, as did many Blackstone leaders and Goldman Sachs’ managing director. A Stephens spokesman declined to comment.

Home Depot CEO Edward Decker also made two contributions of $2,900 to Munchkin’s re-election campaign.

A Home Depot spokesperson declined to comment.