For U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and her daughter Stefany, politics is the family business.

Literally.

In her latest Federal Election Commission filing for her NH-01 bid, Stefany Shaheen lists $50,600 in donations from family members, including $7,000 from each of her four children: Ellen, Annah, Caraline, and Will.

(Will Shaheen, the youngest, graduated from St. John’s Prep in May.)

“Maxing out to the tune of $7,000 in their early 20s is impressive,” said attorney and Democratic activist Jay Surdokowski. “I couldn’t afford that until I was at least 35 and even then it was a real stretch—still is, to be honest.”

More than $200,000 of Shaheen’s donations can be attributed to her mother, coming from individuals who have donated at least $1,000 to Sen. Shaheen’s campaigns in the past. That includes $5,000 each from seven PACs run by Shaheen and her fellow Senate Democrats:

  • A New Direction PAC – Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
  • Blue Hen Federal PAC – Sen. Chris Coons (DE)
  • Forward Together PAC – Sen. Mark Warner (VA)
  • Narragansett Bay PAC – Sen. Jack Reed (RI)
  • Nutmeg PAC – Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT)
  • Off the Sidelines PAC – Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
  • Smart Solutions PAC – Sen. Jacky Rosen (NV)

The net result is a second-quarter haul of $532,286.09, and more criticism of Stefany Shaheen’s “Nepo Baby” campaign for Congress.

“Q2 fundraising reports are in, and in NH-01, they prove what we’ve been saying all along: Stefany Shaheen is a Nepo Baby who thinks her parents will buy the seat for her, and Maura Sullivan is a carpetbagger,” the National Republican Congressional Committee said in a statement.

Also in the Democratic primary to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas are Harvard instructor Carleigh Beriont, who reports raising just over $160,000; and attorney Christian Urrutia, a new candidate who has yet to file a financial disclosure with the FEC.

Asked about his early fundraising, Urrutia told NHJournal, “We’ve had a great reception. People are hungry for new leadership. It’s clear they’re ready for a fresh voice who’s in this fight for working people.”

Shaheen has been aggressively playing the establishment card in the primary thus far, sending out multiple fundraising emails and texts featuring her with her mother or with former New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch. She’s even sent out an email appeal from former Secretary of State John Kerry. (“Stefany is a refreshing candidate at a time when we need new voices.”)

Critics say it’s part of the Democratic Party’s attempt to coronate a candidate, just as they are doing in the U.S. Senate race, where Pappas is the only candidate in the primary thus far.

Republican Chris Bright, one of the two announced GOP candidates in that race, says voters want candidates who earn their votes, not candidates who feel entitled to them.

“I don’t have a famous last name or connections to the rich and powerful. I’m a soldier and a businessman who earned everything I’ve got through hard work and determination, and that’s exactly how I’m going to win this race,” Bright said.

Bedford Republican Committee vice chair Melissa Bailey is also running in the GOP primary.

Greg Moore with Americans For Prosperity also points out that, while these early numbers are good, there are only so many Shaheen donations to go around.

“Stefany Shaheen tapping into her parents’ donor network isn’t news. The real question is how long she can continue to do it? If she hits a wall there, she’s in trouble.”

The NRCC also called out Sullivan, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and who was a member of the Obama administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs. Sullivan significantly outraised Stefany Shaheen, reporting $753,413. 48.

The NRCC dinged Sullivan over the fact that 87 percent of her itemized contributions came from out-of-state donors.

“Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan are as out of touch as it comes. They’re running to represent hardworking Granite Staters, but the money shows they’re bought and paid for by elitists and out-of-state liberals,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said.

Asked about the criticism, Sullivan told NHJournal, “We are incredibly proud of our grassroots fundraising. Some 85 percent of our contributors gave $100 or less, and close to 30 percent of our total donors were from New Hampshire. This support in New Hampshire and across the country is a testament that people are looking for a different kind of leader who will bring real change to Washington.

“The Granite Staters we hear from are thrilled to send the first female Marine in the country to Congress.”