Epstein-linked billionaire pours $500K into super PAC backing Kentucky Democrat: ‘Dirty Epstein-class money’

Billionaire Reid Hoffman gave $500,000 to an independent super PAC supporting Kentucky Democrat Zach Dembo, prompting Republican opponent Ralph Alvarado to call on Dembo to disavow the money. The dispute highlights tension between Dembo’s campaign pledges to curb wealthy donors’ influence and the support his allies receive from a donor criticised over links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Federal records show Hoffman’s contribution to Kentuckians Not Corruption was made on 24 September 2026; they do not establish that Dembo solicited or directed it. The group’s weekly television bookings on Lexington station WLEX rose from $14,650 in mid-September to $109,990 for 6–12 October, and it had spent about $1.6 million on advertising in the race by mid-October. Dembo is challenging former state senator Alvarado for the seat held by Andy Barr, who is running for the Senate.