A former member of “The Squad,” now vying to reclaim her House seat, made significant payments – exceeding $23,000 – to a political consulting firm. This firm is drawing intense scrutiny due to its previous association with Representative Rashida Tlaib, who faced criticism for directing over $400,000 to the same entity for “fundraising consulting.”
Federal Election Commission filings reveal Cori Bush’s campaign disbursed two payments totaling $23,761 to “Unbought Power” in December. Both were specifically designated for “Fundraising Consulting.” What’s particularly striking is the firm’s listed address, which matches the P.O. Box used by Bush’s own campaign, raising questions about the nature of the relationship.
The founder of Unbought Power, Rasha Mubarak, is a far-left activist recently highlighted in a report examining ties between Tlaib and radical groups. The report detailed Mubarak’s affiliation with organizations previously linked to the financing of terrorism, casting a shadow over the consulting arrangement.
Mubarak’s history includes vocal advocacy for defunding the police, repeatedly expressing that sentiment on social media. She has also been a consistent and outspoken critic of Israel, using strong language to describe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and “apartheid.”
This isn’t the first time Unbought Power has been under the spotlight. In 2022, Representative Tlaib’s campaign and political action committee sent the firm 32 checks totaling over $204,000. Tlaib later severed ties with Mubarak following the increased scrutiny.
The connection extends beyond individual campaigns. “The Squad Victory Fund,” a joint fundraising effort supporting progressive lawmakers like Bush, also channeled over $85,000 to Unbought Power. This raises concerns about a coordinated financial relationship within the group.
Adding another layer of complexity, Bush previously opposed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would have allocated billions for public transit improvements. She argued it didn’t go far enough in addressing her broader progressive agenda. Yet, she recently voiced frustration on social media about the lack of prioritization for public transit funding.
When questioned about this apparent contradiction, a campaign spokesperson defended Bush’s vote, stating she sought to fight for more comprehensive policies, including universal pre-K and expanded Medicare, rather than “settle for less.” The spokesperson emphasized her commitment to the priorities of her constituents.
Critics argue that hiring a consultant with Mubarak’s documented history of controversial views reveals a great deal about Bush’s own priorities. The situation underscores the intense scrutiny facing progressive lawmakers and the organizations they choose to work with.
