Jenna Lowenstein, the deputy campaign manager for Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), donated money to the presidential campaign of one of his female Democratic rivals in an attempt to help her secure a spot on the debate stage next month.
Emmy Bengtson, the deputy communications director for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.), took to Twitter late Wednesday night to say it's "not a given" the abortion issue will be a central issue during the 2020 primary debates and that Democrats need her voice on stage. She then included a link for people to donate to Gillibrand's campaign.
"It is not a given that abortion will come up at the 2020 primary debates. It is not a given that every candidate will defend reproductive rights as fiercely as @SenGillibrand," Bengtson tweeted. "We need her on that stage. If you agree, make sure her spot is guaranteed."
"I just donated to ensure @SenGillibrand's important perspective is on the debate stage. Join me!" Lowenstein tweeted.
I just donated to ensure @SenGillibrand’s important perspective is on the debate stage. Join me! https://t.co/KkdPlgTw0S
— Jenna Lowenstein (@just_jenna) May 16, 2019
This isn't the first time that Lowenstein has donated money to Gillibrand. Back in December 2017, she tweeted she threw her some money and provided a link for other to donate.
https://twitter.com/just_jenna/status/940629664724406278
The Democratic National Committee created two paths for Democratic candidates to qualify for the first debate primary debates in Miami on June 26 and 27.
"There are two paths to qualifying for the debate stage: breaking 1 percent in three polls from pollsters approved by the Democratic National Committee, or tallying 65,000 unique campaign donors, with at least 200 donors in 20 different states," Politico reported.
Gillibrand has hit the poll limit, but she is still short of the 65,000-donor threshold. Her campaign manager sent a fundraiser email on Tuesday with an email subject line reading "a bit of bad news."
"Tiny bit of bad news today, but I think there's still time to course-correct," Jess Fassler wrote to supporters. "I just took a look at where we're at with our fundraising goals for May. We needed to raise $200,000 this month to keep our campaign on track—to keep Kirsten out on the road meeting voters, hire more staff and keep our digital ads up. We're pacing a bit behind on our monthly goal, but if we hustle now, I think we can turn things around in time."