A federal investigation is now underway targeting Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a prominent voice among progressive Democrats, over alleged irregularities in her re-election campaign finances.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) confirmed it began reviewing a complaint filed by the conservative watchdog group, the Coolidge-Reagan Foundation. The complaint, submitted on March 26, questions a series of small-dollar donations made to Crockett’s 2024 campaign through ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s popular fundraising platform.
According to a formal response sent to the foundation’s legal counsel, Dan Backer, the FEC noted that Crockett and her campaign will be officially informed of the complaint within five business days. “You will be informed as soon as the Federal Election Commission takes final action on your client’s complaint,” wrote Assistant General Counsel Wanda D. Brown. The FEC also encouraged the foundation to share any additional information relevant to the case.
Backer, speaking with The Daily Signal, confirmed the agency’s investigation is active. “The FEC has opened an investigation. There is a process in place, but they are indeed investigating,” he said.
At the center of the controversy is a man named Randy Best, a 73-year-old Texan who allegedly made 53 donations totaling $595 to Crockett’s campaign. His wife, however, appeared in a video released by potential 2026 opponent Sholdon Daniels, claiming she had no knowledge of the donations and casting doubt on their legitimacy. The concern is that some donations may have been made without the donors’ consent—raising flags not only about Crockett’s campaign but also about the broader use of the ActBlue platform.
The Coolidge-Reagan Foundation’s filing alleges Crockett’s campaign accepted over $870,000 in donations through ActBlue, questioning how many of those contributions might have been made under similar circumstances.
While ActBlue is widely used by Democratic campaigns, the complaint has stirred interest among Republican lawmakers and attorneys general across several states. In recent years, similar concerns have surfaced, with reports that elderly individuals unknowingly had donations made in their names.
Backer argued that relying solely on ActBlue’s systems does not shield campaigns from responsibility. “It may be tempting for campaigns to say, ‘We didn’t ask for these donations—they came through ActBlue.’ But that defense doesn’t hold water,” he stated. “Campaign treasurers are legally required to perform due diligence. Saying they simply trusted the platform is no longer enough, especially as ActBlue faces scrutiny from both federal and state investigators.”
Crockett’s campaign now has 15 days to respond to the allegations, though extensions are commonly granted, sometimes up to 60 days. So far, her office, campaign team, and ActBlue have not responded to requests for comment.
ActBlue maintains that it complies fully with all campaign finance laws and insists the criticism it faces is politically driven.
