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."
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.
-
Why passkeys are the next frontier in digital security
A disruptive new technology promises to put passwords to bed forever — but not yet
-
Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90's
Feature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more
-
'There are compelling arguments for and against homework'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Canadian man dies in ICE custody
Speed Read A Canadian citizen with permanent US residency died at a federal detention center in Miami
-
GOP races to revise megabill after Senate rulings
Speed Read A Senate parliamentarian ruled that several changes to Medicaid included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" were not permissible