u/newsspotter

Original title: Betty McCollum became Minnesota’s pipeline to the Pentagon. The defense industry took notice.

With help from a former staffer turned lobbyist, the powerful Democrat and occasional critic of Pentagon spending is helping fund Minnesota’s defense industry. Defense donors are opening their wallets.

>She’s received more money from the defense industry than any other sector, according to OpenSecrets, which analyzes campaign spending. The industry has contributed more than $650,000 to McCollum’s campaign since 2020.

>Individuals and political action committees associated with the defense industry have also donated about 45% of the money raised by McCollum’s leadership committee, Betty PAC, in the past three election cycles, a Star Tribune analysis found. Harper is its volunteer treasurer, according to a July 2026 Federal Election Commission filing.

The article was published yesterday.
Rep. Betty McCollum defeated Aswar Rahman in the Democratic primary for Minnesota's 4th congressional district on August 11.

What's the point of publishing the article after the primary?

The article was published by The Minnesota Star Tribune. It is owned by Glen Taylor, who is a billionaire business magnate and a former politician (Republican party).

Edit:

>And while she voted “present” on a recent measure that would cut all military funding to Israel, she’s pushed to limit spending to the country because of its actions in Gaza.

McCollum's Press release on July 15.: https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-mccollum-votes-present-massie-amendment

>According to records filed with the Federal Elections Commission, Miller’s Dependable Conservative Leadership PAC has made contributions to 16 GOP incumbents struggling to hold onto their seats in Congress.

>The money — more than $70,000 in all — has largely been donated in increments of $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000. In a few cases, such as with Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), the PAC maxed out with $10,000 donations. Those staying silent now include Husted, who is facing a tough election against former Sen. Sherrod Brown.