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Chaffetz Uses Rosie O’Donnell for Fundraising

Appeal comes after actress and comedian says she has ‘maxed out’ donations to potential challenger

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz has used his perch atop the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to pursue both bipartisan and partisan inquiries. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz has used his perch atop the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to pursue both bipartisan and partisan inquiries. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Rep. Jason Chaffetz is taking a page from President Donald Trump and using Rosie O’Donnell to help him raise money.

In a campaign fundraising email sent out Monday, Chaffetz said liberals are trying to make him their latest target.

“Rosie O’Donnell, (yes, Rosie O’Donnell) just maxed out to my Democrat opponent and is tweeting to all of her liberal followers to do the same,” the email reads. “I need your help to fight back.”

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Last week, Kathryn Allen, Chaffetz’s Democratic opponent, claimed that she had raised $35,000 in 24 hours after Chaffetz made comments saying some low-income people would have to choose between health care coverage and a new iPhone. In response, O’Donnell tweeted that she had maxed out in donating to Allen.

O’Donnell responded on Twitter by saying “people are onto you.”

Asked by Mic about how a Democrat could win in conservative Utah, O’Donnell said, “We have to make it about truth.”

“People are waking,” she said. “It may take a revolution.”

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