Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been out of Congress for months but she’s still spending campaign cash on airfare, hotels and makeup.
The Arizona Democrat-turned-independent — who is now with a law and lobbying firm — got $800 worth of makeup sessions in her home state, Federal Election Commission records reviewed by The Post reveal.
In August, she doled out $400 to Michelle Lee Photography + Makeup, who also provides wedding photography services, FEC documents showed.
On Sept. 12, Sinema, 49, listed another $400 for “makeup services” to a company called ellNRdesign, which appears to be Arizona-based freelance makeup artist and “image consultant” Lauren Reid.
Sinema, who left office in January 2025, has been spreading the wealth.
She spent $1,537 in campaign funds at a Sonoma winery on “donor gifts” out of her campaign account, which had more than $4 million at the end of last year.
The former powerbroker paid $12,500 fur security services during the last three-month reporting period, and another $5,1210 for “security detail housing.” Many lawmakers have security details or have received threats.
Her expenditures included an American Airlines charge in September for $9,579, along with hotel bills for stays in Alaska, Aspen, and Berlin, Germany.
Former politicians are restricted in how they can spend campaign funds, according to experts. They can’t use the money on what would be considered a “personal expense.”
It’s “supposed to be illegal,” campaign finance expert Brett Kappel of Harmon Curran told The Post.
He said the makeup sessions most likely fall under “personal use” — which isn’t allowed.
Ex-lawmakers are permitted to donate their accounts to party committees or to charity, refund money to donors, or may give it to a political action committee that can support other office seekers, he added.
Even the security costs, which are allowable for current lawmakers or office seekers, might not be kosher in Sinema’s case, he said.
Sinema spent roughly $216,000 on travel in the July-September 2024, while spending $1,262 on a single stop at the pricey Nobu Tokyo restaurant, The Post reported in October.
FEC advisory opinions state that security expenses are for candidates.
It’s “not the same for former members,” Kappel said.
With the FEC hobbled by a lack of commissioners and unable to meet, Sinema has escaped any possible consequences.
Sinema served one term in the Senate and six years in the House. She announced in March 2024 that she would leave the Senate at the end of her term – sparing her a hypothetical three-way-race against Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake that she was trailing in the polls.
In January she joined the advisory council of cryptocurrency firm Coinbase and in March she joined leading D.C. law firm Hogan Lovells as part of its regulatory and intellectual property practice.
Sinema did not respond to a request for comment on her campaign spending.
