Is MAGA Money Flowing to Democrat Raquel Teran?

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, asserts that “MAGA Extremist” donors are bankrolling Democrat Raquel Teran’s campaign for CD3. The ad was paid for by Mainstream Democrats PAC and begins by displaying a list of campaign contributors, alleging that the donations come from “the same donors behind MAGA Republicans.”

Two names are highlighted in this list: Oscar Ramirez and Stan Barnes, both marked as contributing to “Teran for Congress.” 12News investigated federal campaign contributions through the Federal Election Commission, finding only two donations from someone named Oscar Ramirez to Teran for Congress, both listing Fulcrum Public Affairs in Washington, DC as the employer.

Oscar Ramirez, the founder of Fulcrum, predominantly supports Democratic candidates. His online biography reveals he has worked on three Democratic congressional campaigns and in the Obama administration. The other name on the list, Stan Barnes, is an Arizona Republican consultant and former state legislator. FEC records indicate Barnes has contributed to several Republican candidates, including MAGA Republicans such as Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs.

The ad asserts, “A longtime Kari Lake strategist is now helping elect Teran,” referencing Barnes. In an interview with Politico, Barnes acknowledged being a longtime friend of Lake and providing her with advice during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign but clarified to 12News that he does not work for either campaign.

“The ad is portraying me as somehow engaged in her campaign, which I’m not,” said Barnes. “The ad portrays me as a consultant to the Kari Lake campaign, which I am not.”

Barnes confirmed he does not exclusively donate to Republican campaigns. For example, his FEC contributions include a donation to Daniel Hernandez, Jr., who was unsuccessful in his 2022 congressional bid.

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

Teran criticized the ad, calling it “pretty misleading.” She pointed out that “Stan is somebody who is in the middle of the road.”

A representative of Mainstream Democrats PAC told 12News off camera that they stand by the ad, asserting that the facts are accurate and that the group was under no obligation to investigate the reasons behind the donations. He did not consider the ad misleading or inaccurate.