Nevada Democrats’ Campaign Coffers Stuffed with Out-of-State Cash and ActBlue Funds Amid Fraud Probes

Nevada’s Democratic lawmakers are increasingly reliant on out-of-state donors to fuel their political machines, with recent financial filings revealing that a staggering majority of their individual contributions come from beyond the Silver State’s borders. An analysis of the most recent Federal Election Commission data for the 2023-2024 election cycle, compiled by OpenSecrets, shows that Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, along with Representatives Steven Horsford, Dina Titus, and Susie Lee, drew between 61 percent and 90 percent of their individual donations from out-of-state sources. 

This heavy dependence on external funding raises questions about whose interests these politicians truly represent, especially as many of these contributions flow through ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform currently under multiple investigations for alleged fraud and straw donor schemes.

Sen. Jacky Rosen, who successfully defended her seat in 2024, reported total individual contributions of $35,663,696. Of this, only $3,625,683 (10.17%) came from in-state donors, while a whopping $32,038,013 (89.83%) originated out-of-state. Her overall fundraising haul reached $50,872,605, with top contributors including pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) at $1,269,951.

Similarly, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto who retained her seat by less than one percent and is not up for re-election until 2028, amassed $36,742,175 in individual contributions, with just $3,469,444 (9.52%) from Nevada and $32,988,206 (90.48%) from elsewhere. Her total raised stood at $65,688,545, led by EMILY’s List at $536,883.

2026 Midterm Candidates

In the House, Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) saw $2,786,207 in individual donations, of which $720,872 (25.87%) was in-state and $2,065,335 (74.13%) out-of-state. His total fundraising was $5,361,169, with AIPAC topping the list at $117,875. Notably, Horsford has come under fire for receiving approximately $5 million through ActBlue, representing over 93 percent of his total haul—a figure that has drawn particular attention following President Trump’s crackdown on foreign election interference.

Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01) reported $1,307,551 in individual contributions, with $499,268 (38.18%) from Nevada and $808,283 (61.82%) from out-of-state. Her overall total was $2,427,312, again with AIPAC as the leading contributor at $71,050.

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) rounded out the delegation with $4,288,618 in individual donations for the 2023-2024 cycle, including $1,308,956 (30.52%) in-state and $2,979,662 (69.48%) out-of-state. She raised $5,966,655 in total, with EMILY’s List contributing $90,890. 

In the latest development, as reported exclusively by The Nevada Independent on Monday, Lee raised more than $800,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025 (October-December), boosting her cash on hand to over $2.3 million heading into the 2026 election year. This marks her highest cash position ever at this stage, surpassing her previous record by more than $500,000. 

While detailed FEC filings for Q4 2025 are not yet publicly available (due by January 31, 2026), Lee’s campaign continues to prominently feature ActBlue as its primary donation platform, as evidenced by active fundraising links on her website. Given her historical reliance on out-of-state donors—nearly 70 percent in the prior cycle—it is reasonable to infer that this record-breaking quarter likely follows a similar pattern, with significant contributions from national donors funneled through ActBlue. 

These figures underscore a pattern: Nevada Democrats are banking on national networks rather than local support, with out-of-state donations comprising 70-90 percent of their individual hauls. Much of this money is funneled through ActBlue, the online platform that processes small-dollar donations for Democrats nationwide. 

While ActBlue does not appear in OpenSecrets’ top organizational contributors lists for these lawmakers—likely because it acts as a conduit for earmarked individual gifts—its role is undeniable. Horsford’s $5 million from ActBlue alone highlights how integral the platform is to their fundraising strategies.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who recently launched a gubernatorial bid, also relies on ActBlue for donations, as evidenced by dedicated fundraising pages on the platform. While detailed 2025 filings for his gubernatorial campaign are not yet fully available, Ford’s 2022 AG re-election cycle saw him raise over $3.4 million, with significant out-of-state involvement noted in reports. Notably, Ford returned $16,000 in contributions linked to a California family allegedly involved in a straw donor scheme processed through ActBlue, donating the funds to charity amid growing scrutiny.

ACTBlue’s Potential Illegal Activity

This reliance on ActBlue comes at a precarious time, as the platform faces multiple investigations into potential fraud. 

In April 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing a federal probe into unlawful straw donor and foreign contributions, citing ActBlue’s vulnerabilities. House committees subpoenaed ActBlue in July 2025 over allegations of accepting fraudulent donations, including those from unwitting seniors and unemployed individuals. 

A congressional report detailed “potential illegal activity” on the platform, while Texas AG Ken Paxton secured cooperation from ActBlue to enhance donor verification amid claims of money laundering. Investigations have uncovered patterns of excessive donations attributed to retirees, raising red flags about identity theft and foreign interference.

Critics argue that ActBlue’s lax verification—previously lacking CVV requirements for credit cards—has enabled bad actors to exploit the system, potentially inflating Democratic coffers with illicit funds. 

As the Department of Justice continues its probe into ActBlue’s practices, Nevada Democrats’ heavy use of the platform invites closer examination of their funding sources. 

This trend mirrors broader Democratic strategies, as seen in California where similar fundraising tactics have drawn fire. For instance, a bogus ActBlue poll was used to push anti-oil legislation. ActBlue’s troubles echo past scandals, such as Black Lives Matter’s fundraising shutdown in California following legal warnings.

As midterm elections approach, Nevada voters may question whether their representatives are beholden to distant donors rather than local constituents. With ActBlue’s integrity in doubt, the flow of out-of-state money impact their respective campaigns, as Nevada continues to grow with registered independents and Democrats struggle to connect with moderate and working class voters.