Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig’s campaign has used campaign funds on luxury hotel stays throughout the country in the last 18 months. Running for reelection in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, Rep. Craig is attempting to win a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Throughout 2023, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicate that Craig’s campaign spent thousands of dollars on hotels across the country. In April, the campaign spent over $800 at the Sofitel in New York City. Just a few weeks later, the Craig campaign spent another $800 at the Loews Regency, also in New York.
The Minnesota congressional campaign also appears to have taken a swing through California. According to FEC documents, the congresswoman’s campaign paid for lodging at the London West Hollywood Hotel in Beverly Hills on Sept. 28, 2023. On the very same day, the campaign also paid for lodging at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel. Both luxury hotel stays cost several hundred dollars.
The London West Hollywood Hotel touts itself as “a tranquil urban oasis that epitomizes modern luxury for the most discerning guests.” Meanwhile, the Fairmont San Francisco describes itself as “the most iconic luxury hotel in San Francisco, a beacon of style and grandeur for over a century.”
The most expensive hotel stay Craig has racked up in the last 18 months was at the Lansdowne Resort in northern Virginia. Costing the campaign $1,625, the Lansdowne Resort is just outside Washington, D.C. According to its website, the resort offers spa treatments, golf, fine dining, and a variety of other amenities. The resort encourages its customers to “Explore unique wellness experiences and relax with every fiber of your being.”
Each of these hotel expenses were listed as “Lodging” in FEC records.
Alpha News sent multiple media inquires to Congresswoman Craig to ask about the nature of these luxury hotel stays. While candidates are technically allowed to spend campaign funds on expenses such as luxury hotels, Alpha News specifically inquired why Rep. Craig was spending campaign funds on out-of-state, luxury hotels.
Additionally, Alpha News sought answers regarding why the campaign paid for lodging in San Francisco and West Hollywood on the same day.
The congresswoman did not respond to Alpha News’ questions.
Running in Minnesota’s most competitive congressional district, Rep. Craig has become a prolific fundraiser. The most recently available FEC records indicate that the campaign has received $4.1 million in contributions since January of 2023. Of the $4.1 million Craig has raised, over $1.3 million has come from political action committees (PACs), funds, and other organizations.
Having spent roughly $1.3 million this cycle, the Craig campaign has roughly $2.8 million in cash on hand as of April.
The Republican candidate challenging Craig has not yet been decided. Currently, Joe Teirab and Tayler Rahm are locked in a fight for the district’s Republican nomination. Earlier this year, Rahm received the endorsement of the Republican Party, but Teirab said he would run in the August primary against Rahm to become the GOP candidate.
Both the Teirab campaign and Rahm campaign trail Craig significantly in fundraising. According to the most recently available FEC records, Teirab’s campaign has just over $660,000 in cash on hand as of April. Meanwhile, Rahm’s campaign has only $59,000 in cash on hand.
The primary election is set for Aug. 13.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
