Democrat Conor Lamb's attempt to disavow unpopular party leadership during his special election bid in Pennsylvania's 18th district was further complicated on Wednesday with the disclosure that his campaign received thousands from Rep. Steny Hoyer (D., Md.), who serves as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (Calif.) top lieutenant.
Hoyer, who was in his usual seat next to Pelosi during Tuesday night's State of the Union address, contributed $2,000 to Lamb from his campaign and an additional $5,000 to Lamb through his leadership PAC, according to federal election filings released Wednesday.
The contributions from Hoyer came weeks before Lamb's attempt to distance himself from party leadership by telling local reporters it's "time for someone new" to take the reins of the party.
Also disclosed in new filings is $300,000 sent from Pelosi to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which announced last week it was dumping money into the district to boost Lamb.
Republicans have bashed Lamb for attempting to distance himself from Pelosi, referring to him as "a Pelosi-following, high-taxing, big-spending liberal" in a recent ad. National Republicans have said Lamb is "fooling" himself by saying he will push for new leadership if elected.
Lamb did not immediately respond to a request for comment.