FACT CHECK: Did The IRS Donate To Katie Hobbs’ Campaign?
A video shared on Instagram alleges the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) donated to Arizona Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs’ campaign.
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Verdict: Misleading
An entry on the Election Funds Portal for the Arizona Secretary of State reveals Hobbs received $6,189.57 in Non-Contribution Income from the IRS in March 2022.
Fact Check:
Hobbs was declared the winner in Arizona’s gubernatorial race Monday night, defeating Republican candidate and ardent trump-supporter Kari Lake, according to CNN. Lake wrote on Twitter that “Arizonans know BS when they see it” following the call from networks, The New York Times reported.
The Instagram video, liked over 90 times, claims the IRS donated to Hobbs’ gubernatorial campaign. The video shows an apparent donation from the agency to Hobbs’ campaign. “Shouldn’t [the IRS] be non-partisan?” the speaker in the video asks.
While a transaction between the IRS and Hobbs did occur, it was not in the form of a political donation. An entry on the Election Funds Portal for the Arizona Secretary of State reveals Hobbs received $6,189.57 in Non-Contribution Income from the IRS in March 2022.
While no further information is provided on the website, a spokesperson from the Hobbs campaign told AFP that the money stemmed from a payroll tax issue caused by an overpay in quarterly taxes. The Federal Elections Commission states that federal government contractors and national banks cannot donate to individual campaigns.
There are no credible news reports suggesting the IRS willingly donated to Hobbs’ gubernatorial campaign. Hobbs also has not publicly commented on the claim. (RELATED: Did A Texas Polling Place Turn Republican Voters Away?)
Check Your Fact has contacted IRS and Hobbs campaign spokespersons for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
Misinformation surrounding the Arizona gubernatorial race has circulated widely following the 2022 midterm elections. Check your Fact recently debunked an image allegedly showing Hobbs in a ballot tabulation room.
