An unusual pattern emerged from Federal Election Commission data – a network of substantial donations linked to individuals of remarkably advanced age. The numbers, stark and undeniable, paint a picture that demands closer scrutiny.
The data reveals twenty individuals, all over the age of 67, who collectively contributed over $2.6 million to political campaigns. But the story doesn’t end with the sheer volume of money. The average donation amount, coupled with the sheer number of transactions, raises compelling questions.
Solveig Waters-Appel, 87 years old, led the list with over $91,000 in donations, spread across an astonishing 7,491 individual contributions. This equates to an average donation of just $12.23 – a seemingly small amount, yet multiplied thousands of times, it becomes a significant sum.
James Watson, 89, followed closely, contributing over $276,000 through 34,615 donations, averaging $7.99 each. Joan Wofford, also 89, donated over $432,000 across 10,717 contributions, with a significantly higher average of $40.32. The disparity in average donation amounts is immediately noticeable.
The pattern continued down the list: Cleveland Woodson, Gwen Yeo, Barbara Zaborowski, each contributing tens of thousands of dollars through thousands of small donations. The sheer logistical effort required to make so many individual contributions is itself noteworthy.
A second chart expanded the scope, revealing a connection to the campaigns of Senators Cory Booker and Mark Kelly. The same individuals appeared, categorized by which campaign they supported – or both. The data indicated a clear leaning towards Senator Booker.
The overlap was striking. Almost all of the individuals listed as contributing to Cory Booker also contributed to Mark Kelly. This suggests a coordinated effort, or at least a shared network of support, directing funds to both campaigns.
Further analysis revealed even more unsettling details. Thirty donations were recorded *after* the death of Linda Luna on May 5, 2024. An even more significant number – 785 donations – were made after Joan Wofford’s death on January 30, 2023. These posthumous contributions are, to say the least, highly irregular.
The average age of these donors was 78. While age alone isn’t suspicious, combined with the volume of donations, the small average amounts, and the contributions made after death, a disturbing picture begins to emerge. The data begs the question: what motivated these donations, and who was truly behind them?
The total amount contributed to these campaigns exceeded $7.4 million, spread across over 321,000 individual donations. The average donation amount across all contributors was $23.03. The scale of this activity demands a thorough investigation.
This isn’t simply a matter of political contributions; it’s a potential indicator of something far more complex. The data, available for public review, raises serious concerns about transparency and the integrity of the campaign finance system.
