Tom Steyer aide tried to bribe Iowa lawmakers for endorsements

A new Associated Press report reveals shocking claims that billionaire 2020 Democrat candidate Tom Steyer bribed Iowa elected officials for endorsements in his 2020 race for president. 

According to the report, Pat Murphy, a former Iowa House of Representatives Speaker, who is serving as a top adviser on Steyer’s campaign, had approached multiple elected officials, offering cash for their endorsements of the billionaire candidate. 

Tom Courtney, a former Democrat state senator from southeastern Iowa who’s running for reelection to his old seat, told The Associated Press the financial offer “left a bad taste in my mouth.”

A former state representative, Roger Thomas endorsed Thomas, but no FEC filing by Steyer’s campaign has disclosed a payment to Thomas, which could result in massive fines if Steyer’s campaign did indeed pay the former elected official for his support for Steyer.

The AP says it is unclear if Murphy could face a legal complaint about his actions, but the news is sure to bring scrutiny from other 2020 Democrats, who can use the issue to push the billionaire, who spent $47.6 million of his own money in the first three months of his campaign.

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