The big money donors for the Republican Party are keeping a close eye on Marco Rubio. According to POLITICO, they are not worried as much about the Florida Senator’s work on immigration reform as they are with his potential co-sponsorship of a federal 20-week abortion ban.
However, Rubio’s conservative base—once critical of his collaboration with Democrats on immigration—are warming up to him again with his stance on abortion.
During the immigration reform debate, large donors are turning out for Rubio’s efforts. He raised $3 million from April to June, a 30 percent increase from the previous quarter. GOP donors and high-profile figures like Grover Norquist and Jeb Bush try to keep Republicans on message on economic issues.
Some donors feel Republicans should tread carefully with hot-button issues like abortion, which feed the Democratic narrative of the “war on women.” The key is to avoid further alienating women, a lesson learned in the GOP dismal performance in the 2012 general election. Support from women and independents could have turned the tide in their favor.
Abortion is one issue that could affect the GOP deeply in 2016. Republican Party donations, which attract funding from Wall Street and California Republicans—often pro-choice and for same sex marriage—could hurt, if the Senate abortion bill starts to gain momentum nationally.
Rubio must walk this delicate line, especially if he wants a chance for the 2016 presidential race. Social issues like abortion could whip up some smaller donors, but it is the big money—super PACs and nonprofits—that sway elections. Social issues energize small-dollar donors on the state level, and are more valuable to state legislators.
