With a Republican president having fun with majority assist in each homes of Congress, and with a rival on line casino venture hanging within the steadiness, Graton Rancheria has made a 180-degree flip. Right here’s what the data present.
The largest tribal donor in American politics has reopened its checkbook within the aftermath of the November election. However the cash flowing from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria is out of the blue going to very totally different candidates and causes.
The tribe, which operates the Bay Space’s largest on line casino exterior Rohnert Park, gave $5.85 million to federal candidates and political committees in 2023-24 — greater than every other sovereign tribe — and just below $2 million to California races throughout the identical timeframe. These contributions went nearly solely to Democrats and liberal causes, making the tribe a robust drive in progressive politics and one of many prime donors general in California.
However with a Republican president having fun with majority assist in each homes of Congress, and with a rival on line casino venture hanging within the steadiness, Graton Rancheria has made a 180-degree flip.
Based on data posted by the Federal Election Commission, the tribe donated $176,000 to political funds in February and March. Each greenback went to Republicans.
The biggest chunk was a $100,000 present to the Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee, which works to get members of that celebration elected to the U.S. Home of Representatives. Different contributions included $5,000 to the Republican Governance Group, a political motion committee, or PAC, that focuses on well being care, power, infrastructure and workforce points; and $5,000 to the Heartland Values PAC, which is affiliated with Senate Majority Chief John Thune of South Dakota.
The Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Graton Rancheria additionally donated $6,600 every to the marketing campaign funds of 10 particular person Republican officeholders. Half of them — Reps. David Valadao, Vince Fong, Darrell Issa, Doug LaMalfa and Jay Obernolte — are primarily based in California. However the tribe additionally backed Reps. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, Jeff Hurd of Colorado and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, in addition to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
The political spending data had been out there solely via March.
“We give to causes we consider in no matter political affiliation,” Graton Rancheria Chair Greg Sarris mentioned in a quick written assertion. “As the unique residents of this land, we stand for environmental stewardship, social justice for all and sovereignty rights for tribes.”
Earlier than this yr, Graton’s dedication to environmental safety and social justice led the tribe to veer laborious to the left. Within the earlier election cycle, it contributed $1.5 million to a PAC referred to as Newsom’s Poll Measure Committee, $200,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Marketing campaign Committee and $200,000 to the Standing Sturdy PAC (affiliated with now-California Sen. Adam Schiff), amongst different items.
Most outstanding was Graton Rancheria’s assist of Californians for Alternative, a PAC shaped to assist protect and broaden abortion rights; it later pivoted to organizing pro-choice voters in key California congressional districts.
The tribe largely bankrolled that PAC with $4 million in donations. Now it’s giving to staunchly anti-abortion politicians like Issa, LaMalfa, Valadao, Obernolte and Fong — every of whom obtained a grade of A+ from the group Susan B. Anthony Professional-life America.
The Press Democrat was unable to succeed in representatives of Californians for Alternative.
Sarris signaled his reevaluation of political affiliation in March, at a ceremony marking completion of a serious development part on the Graton Resort and On line casino.
“Let’s not child ourselves, the Trump administration want to flip again something the Democrats did,” Sarris instructed The Press Democrat on the time. “Positive, they is perhaps upset with us. However I feel proper now, after they see what was completed to us, we’re an ideal instance of one of many issues they’ve all the time complained in regards to the Democratic Get together. And I’ll maintain that up.”
Flipping economic-political allegiance is “a bit of bit uncommon,” however not unparalleled, in response to Sonoma State College political science professor David McCuan.
“To do a 180 is wise politics. It is probably not real curiosity,” McCuan argued. “You do it out of necessity as a result of the situations name for that. But when the rhetoric of Greg (Sarris), and his beliefs, and the place the tribe is coming from, this cash is about comfort and political timing — and that’s all.”
