Ad Accuses Raquel Teran of ‘MAGA Extremist’ Funding: Fact-Check Reveals Truth

A campaign ad claims “MAGA Extremists” are helping Raquel Teran’s campaign for CD3. But is it real?

PHOENIX — A political ad airing on television, including 12News, alleges that “MAGA Extremist” donors are financing Democrat Raquel Teran’s campaign for CD3.

“The team behind Kari Lake, Paul Gosar, and other MAGA extremists now brings you Raquel Teran,” asserts the advertisement.

Mainstream Democrats PAC funded the ad, listing donors they claim are linked to “MAGA Republicans.”

Two names are mentioned: Oscar Ramirez and Stan Barnes, both noted as donors to “Teran for Congress.”

12News investigated federal campaign contributions via the Federal Election Commission.

Only two contributions from anyone named Oscar Ramirez were found for Teran’s campaign. Both are linked to Fulcrum Public Affairs in Washington, DC.

Oscar Ramirez, founder of Fulcrum, primarily donates to Democratic candidates. His biography lists experience with three Democratic congressional campaigns and the Obama administration.

Stan Barnes, an Arizona Republican consultant and former state legislator, is also named.

FEC records show Barnes has donated to numerous Republican candidates, including some considered “MAGA Republicans” like Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs.

The ad contends, “A longtime Kari Lake strategist is now helping elect Teran,” referring to Barnes.

In an interview, Barnes acknowledged his friendship with Lake and his advisory role in her 2022 gubernatorial run. However, he clarified to 12News that he is not involved in either campaign.

“The ad portrays me as a consultant to the Kari Lake campaign, which I am not,” stated Barnes.

Barnes also said he doesn’t exclusively donate to Republican campaigns. FEC records include his donation to Daniel Hernandez, Jr., a 2022 congressional candidate.

“I made a contribution [to Teran] because we were friends,” Barnes explained. “That’s it. I don’t particularly agree with her point of view.”

“It’s pretty misleading,” Teran said of the ad. She characterized Stan Barnes as someone “in the middle of the road.”

A Mainstream Democrats PAC representative told 12News they stand by the ad. They affirmed the ad’s factual accuracy and stated there is no obligation to find out the reasons behind the donations.

They did not believe the ad was misleading or inaccurate.