Quick Hit:

Democratic clients of Loren Merchan, daughter of the judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush-money trial, have raised $93 million in campaign donations, leveraging the case in their fundraising efforts. This has led to renewed calls for the judge, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, to recuse himself as Trump heads to a New York courthouse Monday for the beginning of jury selection in the case.

Key Details:

• Loren Merchan is the president of Authentic Campaigns, a progressive political consulting firm whose top clients include Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and the Senate Majority PAC.
• Since the indictment of Trump, Schiff's campaign for US Senate has raised $20 million, while the Senate Majority PAC has raised $73.6 million.
• Trump was ultimately gagged by Merchan's father, Justice Juan Merchan, for raising concerns of a conflict of interest—leading to widespread condemnation, including from Stormy Daniels' former attorney, Michael Avenatti who tweeted, "We can't be hypocrites when it comes to the 1st Amendment."

Diving Deeper:

Authentic Campaigns, led by Loren Merchan, has been instrumental in the fundraising efforts of two major Democratic entities. Rep. Adam Schiff, who was the lead prosecutor in Trump's first impeachment trial, and the Senate Majority PAC, a significant party fundraiser, have collectively raised $93 million since Trump's indictment. This has raised concerns about the impartiality of Judge Merchan, given his daughter's active role in campaigns that are financially benefiting from the case against Trump.

Both Schiff's campaign and the Senate Majority PAC have used Trump's indictment in their fundraising emails. Schiff's campaign has raised $20 million since the indictment, while the Senate Majority PAC has raised $73.6 million. Authentic Campaigns has provided services to both entities, including email fundraising, branding assistance, digital advertising, and other consulting services.