A host of Democrats who, in recent months, criticized Republicans as being out of touch have themselves traveled to exclusive ski resorts to schmooze donors, an experience out of reach for many Americans, all using their campaign cash.
These Democrats, who have been quick in recent months to deride Republicans for what they see as throwing aside the working class to benefit the rich, descended on the swanky Colorado resort town of Vail between January 2024 and April of this year to wine and dine wealthy donors — spending over $100,000 in the process. This year alone, just 10 Democrats have spent north of $70,000 on travel and lodging in the mountain resort town, with many making statements after the fact, accusing their Republican colleagues of being “out of touch” with the experiences of everyday Americans.
Perhaps the most decadent location frequented by the squad of congressional Democrats was the Vail Four Seasons.
The five-star resort, where most rooms cost thousands per night, sports a yearlong heated pool nestled among alpine hills, a mountain chalet where guests may congregate before or after ski excursions, a fully stocked gym with complimentary on-staff personal trainers, and an award-winning spa offering traditional services such as massages or facials, as well as “rituals” that cost hundreds of dollars and appear to be inspired by New Age spirituality.
The Four Seasons’s proximity to prime Colorado wilderness contributes to its exorbitant pricing, offering guests opportunities to hike, ski, snowboard, ride horses, fly fish, whitewater raft, access exclusive golf courses, and ride snowmobiles.
“When you think about Four Seasons, we hope unparalleled luxury comes to mind,” the hotel’s website reads.
In total, the campaigns of Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Troy Carter (D-LA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Jason Crow (D-CO), and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) spent roughly $53,000 at the Vail Four Seasons between January 2024 and March of this year. Each of these representatives has also been quick to paint the GOP as out of touch or elitist in recent months.
Veasey, who co-chairs the House Democratic Blue Collar Caucus, accused Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of being “out of touch” just a few months after his campaign spent nearly $2,000 at the Four Seasons. The Texas Democrat has also characterized Republicans who oppose transgenderism and Elon Musk as “out of touch” in recent months.
Carter, whose campaign spent nearly $14,000 at the Four Seasons in February, called President Donald Trump “out of touch” in April, citing his alleged attack on democratic norms. The congressman from Louisiana has also been keen to accuse Republicans of deploying economic policies that harm the middle class for the benefit of the wealthy. Dean, DelBene, Sewell, Aguilar, and Crow all employed similar rhetoric following their expenditures in the swanky resort town.
While there isn’t anything illegal about these expenditures — congressional campaigns aren’t required to spare any luxury so long as their goal is to raise even more money — some have argued that such a system allows politicians to enjoy perks that would otherwise be out of reach.
“This type of lavish spending actually makes up a significant portion of the distrust and alienation that we see between Washington, D.C., and the average American citizen,” Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust Executive Director Kendra Arnold previously told the Washington Examiner in reference to its reporting on Sen. Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) spending campaign funds at ritzy hotels. “The crux of this is that elected officials are making rules for people to live by in everyday life, and suspicion can’t help but be roused if they increasingly choose to engage in elitist activities.”
Beach resorts, professional sports events, and high-profile concerts are some other spendy, though common, fundraising venues employed by members of Congress.
The Sebastian resort was another popular spot for Democrats looking to spend campaign cash in Vail, receiving over $24,000 in payments from the campaigns of Reps. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Jim Himes (D-CT), and Crow between January 2024 and March of this year. According to its website, the Sebastian is a “luxurious mountain retreat” offering guests a private skiing basecamp, ski valets, a luxury spa, and an in-house restaurant headed by an award-winning chef.
Pettersen, like many of her Democratic colleagues, has described Republican leadership as “out of touch” in recent months, most recently over their opposition to proxy voting, and after spending nearly $15,000 in campaign cash at the Sebastian. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), whose campaign spent about $2,000 at a Vail resort in late 2024, characterized the Trump administration as “ultra-rich” and “out-of-touch” in March.
Some of the members of Congress who paid for these resort trips say they believe Democrats are increasingly out of touch with normal Americans.
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), who is running for Senate and is a member of the Blue Collar Caucus, spent nearly $13,000 at the Sonnenalp hotel between 2024 and early 2025, campaign finance records show. Describing itself as a European-style “luxury resort,” the Sonnenalp offers a full-service spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a private ski lounge, an “oxygen bar,” and close proximity to the area’s natural attractions.
“Remember when Democrats were out there saying inflation is transient?” Moulton said during a radio interview following the Democratic defeat in the 2024 presidential election. “I mean, what the hell does that even mean? But we were trying to tell people, ‘No, no, don’t worry. It’s not really a problem. It’s not really affecting your grocery prices. Just grin and bear it.’ And that’s just totally out of touch with Americans.”
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), similarly, said in March that the Democratic Party has “lost touch with working people in our country.” Bennet spent about $1,500 worth of campaign cash on a stay at a Vail mountain resort in July 2024.
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Democrats aren’t the only ones using campaign cash to finance luxury vacations.
A local outlet in Kentucky, for instance, reported in December 2024 that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) spent nearly $50,000 in campaign funds during the summer of that year on trips to Sweden and Denmark, spanning luxury hotels, dining, and private transportation services. Paul’s office clarified that the trip was for fundraising purposes. Numerous other Republicans appear in recent campaign finance records as having spent funds at luxury resorts or pricey restaurants.
The Democratic members of Congress mentioned in this piece did not respond to requests for comment.
