Tom Steyer aide reportedly offered Iowa politicians money in exchange for a presidential endorsement


One scandal involving a Tom Steyer aide apparently wasn't enough for a single week.
A top aide to the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate has privately offered Iowa politicians campaign contributions in exchange for an endorsement of his White House run, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
Pat Murphy, an adviser on Steyer's Iowa campaign and former state House speaker, has reportedly been making these offers, though AP doesn't have evidence that anyone actually accepted them. AP notes that this is not illegal unless payments weren't disclosed, but this still "could revive criticism that the billionaire Steyer is trying to buy his way into the White House."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Numerous Iowa politicians spoke for the report and confirmed having received these offers, with one former state senator running for his old seat, Tom Courtney, saying he was told, "you help them, and they'll help you" and that this "left a bad taste in my mouth." Steyer's campaign press secretary, Alberto Lammers, said Murphy wasn't authorized to make these offers and that the campaign outside of Iowa didn't even knew this was happening.
"Our campaign policy is clear that we will not engage in this kind of activity, and anyone who does is not speaking for the campaign or does not know our policy," Lammers said.
In a statement, Murphy said it was "never my intention to make my former colleagues uncomfortable, and I apologize for any miscommunication on my part." He did not deny the report.
This comes just days after reports that a Steyer aide allegedly stole presidential campaign data from Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). The aide has since resigned, and the campaign claimed that he accessed the data not realizing it wasn't theirs. Steyer said this week he was "deeply disappointed to learn of this situation."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published