By Gilbert Guru
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The finances behind any campaign play a direct role in getting a candidate elected to office, especially in tight political races. This is particularly true for Arizona’s U.S. Senate race. Recent campaign finances show Martha McSally $15 million dollars behind her opponent Mark Kelly in the fundraising battle.
This is especially concerning as Arizona is widely considered by both political parties as a “battleground state” and McSally stands as the incumbent, which means she should be out-campaigning and out-fundraising her political opponent. 
McSally, who already lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in 2018 and was appointed after the death of John McCain and the resignation of Jon Kyl, recognizes that being this behind in the fundraising race could be an end to her short lived time in the Senate. In a hope to appeal to her support base, McSally recently said in an interview, “We’re doing our part to catch up, you know, to get our message out, but it takes resources. So, anybody can give, I’m not ashamed to ask, to invest. If you can give a dollar, five dollars, if you can fast a meal and give what that be.”
McSally, who may be desperate to get her fundraising numbers up, may be playing on the desperation of her supporters and opponents of having two blue Senators from Arizona. Urging her supporters to “fast a meal” during a financial crisis for many across the United States is irresponsible and sends the wrong message to her supporters.
If McSally supporters are willing to fast a meal to support her Senatorial race, could it be enough to secure her win at the voting booth? Would any average person be willing to a fast a meal for a politician that likely makes double their household income?
With early voting starting next month, the ability and time to garner last minute donations is becoming shorter and shorter. If Arizonans hope to keep Martha McSally in office, her supporters may be desperate enough to make personal and financial sacrifices in order to donate to her campaign; McSally’s political career may depend on it.