Corona's Borysiewicz Supports DeSantis: Who Else is on his Donation List?
Kendall L. Robinson 
Corona Cigar founder Jeff Borysiewicz recently hosted a June 2nd fundraiser for Governor Ron DeSantis at his Diamond Lounge in downtown Orlando. The cigar lounge magnate often spends his time and dollars alongside conservative juggernauts like DeSantis and commentator David Rubin, host of the David Rubin Report, who also attended the recent reception.
Although Borysiewicz has carefully crafted his image as a GOP ally and kingpin, donor records reveal a different story.
From the 2000s onward, Borysiewicz has donated thousands to Democrats, including a whopping $11,850 to for former Rep. Alan Grayson who famously dubbed GOP Rep. Daniel Webster as "Taliban Dan." Borysiewicz has also contributed $6,514 to Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), $3,000 to Kendrick Meek (D-FL), $2,000 to former Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), $500 to Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), $1000 to the late Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), nearly $500 to former State Representative Karen Castor Dentel (D-FL), and $100 to State Senator Janet Cruz, among others.
Pictured: A contribution receipt submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by the Committee to Elect Alan Grayson. Photo Credit: Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Borysiewicz' donations to Democrats account for nearly half the total number of political contributions the cigar mogul made over the last ten years. While not uncommon for business leaders to ingratiate themselves with Congress in a bipartisan way, for some, Borysiewicz' tailored reputation as a stalwart member of the GOP comes into question.
A local member of the Orange County Republican Executive Committee (OCREC) spoke on condition of anonymity: "We really need to ask ourselves about party loyalty and who we associate with politically. No amount of cash should put our party's agenda or interests at stake for the sake of political expediency. I think Borysiewicz' record as a quasi-Democratic insider raises some concern we must address in the future."
Borysiewicz' wife, a former Democrat who manages daily operations at Corona locations, asked a representative of the Local News to leave when approached regarding his donor record on Thursday.
