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Charles B. Johnson, billionaire owner of the San Francisco Giants and former CEO of Franklin Resources, has come under scrutiny for donating thousands of dollars to Lauren Boebert’s campaign that won a seat in the House in November, representing Colorado.
Johnson and his wife, Ann, both donated $ 2,800 to Boebert’s campaign, NBC Sports reported on Friday, citing recent FEC filings. But the donations came under fire after Boebert’s comments during the U.S. Capitol riot in Washington as Congress certified the presidential election results.
Boebert tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, had been evicted from her apartments during the riot. The tweet had many politicians calling for Boebert’s removal from Congress. In July, Boebert was also criticized for saying she hoped Q was “real” in reference to the conspiracy theory that a senior government official lifted the curtain on what the so-called deep state has ” done “to affect Americans.
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Johnson has received criticism from Giants announcer Renel Brooks-Moon and Pelosi’s daughter Christine.
Christine Pelosi told the Sacramento Bee: “This is pathetic. This is a criminal murder and someone tweeting the plight of someone who has been the target of a murder.”
Charles Johnson, 88, was forced to issue a statement amid the backlash. He said he didn’t know Boebert was associated with QAnon.
“Like most countries, I watched with dismay that our Capitol was invaded last week,” he said. I hope those who engage in or encourage violence will be held accountable for their behavior. I have a long history of political contributions to Republican candidates and to certain Democratic candidates who share my deep belief in a free market system. My contributions are mine alone and are in no way associated with the San Francisco Giants.
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“It is often difficult to predict the future behavior of candidates and I never imagined that a legitimate candidate would participate in undermining the core values of our great country. I was also unaware that any candidate I contributed to was associated with QAnon. I firmly believe in our democratic system where our elected representatives can engage in vigorous debate in the halls of government, free from violence or intimidation, and in a peaceful and respectful manner. I hope we can return to this tradition which has served our great country so much. well for so long. “
The Associated Press reported that political contributions were suspended following the riots.
Johnson has donated around $ 11 million over the past five years to Republican candidates, ESPN reported last year. Since 2000, his donations would have been intended for the campaigns of Mitt Romney, John Boehner and Ben Quayle. The New York Times reported that Johnson also donated to a Super Pac supporting Jeb Bush’s presidential race in 2016.
This election, Johnson donated to the campaigns of Republicans Tommy Tuberville, Jeff Van Drew, Burgess Owens, Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue, Madison Cawthorn and Laura Loomer. His latest donations appeared to go to Loeffler and Perdue as they competed in the special elections and run-off for U.S. Senate seats in Georgia.
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In 2018, Johnson’s contribution to Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign also sparked controversy. She was in a second round for US Senator from Mississippi against Mike Espy. The Republican was filmed on video, she would be in the “front row” if she was invited to a public hanging.
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