Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has raised more than $240,000 in campaign donations from Big Pharma executives and employees over the current midterm election cycle despite calls to lower prescription drug prices.
Warnock has received at least $240,364 from individuals who work for health companies, making him the third-largest beneficiary of money from the pharmaceutical sector, according to fundraising data compiled by OpenSecrets. Despite accepting contributions from pharmaceutical executives, Warnock has spent much of his campaign decrying Big Pharma companies and calling for lower prescription drug costs.
WARNOCK REPORTS $17.2 MILLION FUNDRAISING HAUL, VASTLY OUTPACING WALKER
“I won’t stand by while corporations prey on Georgia families. I’m fighting against rising health care costs and Rx drug prices for folks in every corner of our state,” Warnock said in a tweet in July.
The Georgia Democrat has also previously criticized former opponents for accepting similar contributions, blaming high drug prices on Big Pharma donations to “Washington insiders like Kelly Loeffler.”
More than a third of the pharmaceutical donations came from executives and employees at Pfizer, Merck, and Novartis, according to campaign finance data from the Federal Election Commission. Warnock has also accepted contributions from Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk — three of the largest insulin manufacturers in the world.
Insulin manufacturers have been at the center of criticism for the high cost of the necessary diabetes medication, and Warnock has repeatedly pledged to lower those costs.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Warnock has enjoyed a fundraising advantage over his challenger Herschel Walker, particularly in the last quarter, when the incumbent raised $17.2 million compared to Walker’s $6.2 million.
Walker and Warnock are set to face off during the general election on Nov. 8. While the race is expected to be tight, Warnock has enjoyed higher poll numbers over his Republican opponent, with 54% saying they’d vote for Warnock over Walker (44%), according to a Quinnipiac poll.
Neither candidate responded to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.
