U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney has been accused of misusing campaign funds in a new report.
A Politico investigation said the Republican congresswoman from Oswego County used campaign funds to see Novak Djokovic play tennis and stay in upscale hotels in Miami and New York when he was playing in tournaments there. Her campaign also spent $388 on swag by Lacoste, a clothing brand that sponsors Djokovic, at the brand’s New York City store during the 2025 U.S. Open.
Tenney posted a photo of herself wearing a Lacoste jacket and hat on X three days later, calling Djokovic the “GOAT… all the way!” According to the Observer-Dispatch, the clothing expense was labeled as “DONOR GIFTS- SHIRTS/HATS” in a Federal Election Commission filing.
A rep for Tenney, a New Hartford native who represents all or parts of 14 counties in New York’s 24th Congressional District, called Politico’s report “false” and insisted all of her travel and campaign activity were in compliance with all applicable laws and FEC regulations.
“This is embarrassingly false and inaccurate reporting by a reporter who does not even understand how to read the House calendar,” said Anthony Pileggi, a Tenney for Congress spokesman, in a statement. “Voters see this for what it is: a desperate attempt to manufacture a smear when there is no real story to tell.”
Pileggi and Tenney did not comment further.
Daniel Weiner of the Brennan Institute for Justice told Politico that FEC law prohibits the use of federal campaign funds to purchase clothing apart from branded campaign paraphernalia.
Alissa Ellman, a Democrat running against Tenney in the 2026 election, called Tenney’s alleged misuse of campaign funds a “blatant betrayal of the voters of this district.”
“These funds are supposed to be used to run a good campaign – to buy the resources and hire the people necessary to get your message in front of as many voters as possible. Instead, Claudia pampered herself with tennis matches and luxury hotels,” Ellman told the Observer Dispatch.