Kentucky Republican Slams Democrat's Campaign Over $500K Donation Linked to Epstein Associate

Republican congressional nominee Ralph Alvarado has sharply criticized Democratic opponent Zach Dembo over a $500,000 contribution from billionaire Reid Hoffman to a super PAC supporting Dembo's campaign, labeling the funds "dirty Epstein class money."

Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn, made the donation to Kentuckians Not Corruption on September 24. Federal Election Commission records show the super PAC has significantly increased its television advertising spending in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District since Hoffman's contribution.

Alvarado told Fox News Digital that the contribution is "offensive" and that Dembo, if he has "any integrity," should disavow the funds. "Dembo will not disavow it," Alvarado stated. "I don't even think I'll bother to ask. Again, the least they could do is apologize."

Fox News Digital reported repeated attempts to reach Dembo's team for comment were unsuccessful.

Dembo's campaign platform emphasizes combating political corruption and the influence of wealthy donors, stating on his website that "big business and the ultra-wealthy shouldn't be able to buy influence in Washington" and advocating for the elimination of "dark money in politics." He has also criticized tax breaks for "billionaires and coastal elites" and pledged to advocate for working families.

The 6th Congressional District race is a contest to succeed Republican Rep. Andy Barr, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Mitch McConnell. Barr has represented the district, which includes Lexington, since 2013. National political groups are closely watching the race as Democrats aim to unseat the Republican incumbent.

Federal advertising records indicate that Kentuckians Not Corruption's television advertising orders on Lexington's WLEX-TV rose from $14,650 for the week of September 15-21 to $109,990 for the week of October 6-12. The super PAC had spent approximately $1.6 million on advertising in the race by mid-October, according to Kentucky Public Radio, with commercials supporting Dembo and criticizing Alvarado.

Alvarado further elaborated on Hoffman's past associations, stating that Hoffman "was one of his [Jeffrey Epstein's] best friends" and that Hoffman had been a guest at Epstein's private island and Manhattan townhouse. Alvarado also referenced documents released by the Justice Department, alleging Hoffman once sent Epstein a shipment of ice cream on Christmas Eve with a note suggesting it was for "yourself or for the girls."

Alvarado accused Dembo of hypocrisy for accepting support from such a source while campaigning against dark money and wealthy donors, stating, "The hypocrisy is so thick from Dembo in which he claims he won't take it, but yet here he is."