House Democrat Vicente Gonzalez's Campaign Spending Includes Travel to Disney and Luxury Hotels

<p>House Democrat Vicente Gonzalez has been scrutinized for his campaign spending, which includes nearly $20,000 on international and domestic trips with his wife, alongside payments to Disney World. This comes after Gonzalez accused Republican rival Mayra Flores of using donor money for personal travel.</p><p>Gonzalez's campaign records show expenditures totaling over $1,100 for visits to Disney World around the same time he posted photos of a trip there with his family on social media in April 2025. His campaign also reported spending on upscale hotels and restaurants across various locations, including a five-star hotel stay in the UAE and a Michelin-starred restaurant in Zurich.</p><p>In October 2025, Gonzalez criticized Flores for allegedly using campaign funds for a trip to Disney World, sharing a photo of her at an airport with Disney merchandise. However, federal campaign finance records reveal that Gonzalez's campaign made payments to Disney Resorts on March 24 and May 27, 2025, coinciding with his own trip to the theme park.</p><p>Gonzalez's campaign manager, Alex Philley, stated that all spending is legal and publicly disclosed, emphasizing that the funds are used for campaign-related activities. He noted that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) allows campaign funds to cover travel expenses for candidates and their families when related to official duties, but personal vacations cannot be funded by campaign money.</p><p>Gonzalez's campaign has also reported significant spending on international trips, including a visit to Morocco under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, which permits members of Congress to accept travel from foreign governments for approved exchanges. His campaign reported $4,767.53 for spouse travel expenses related to this trip.</p><p>In December 2024, Gonzalez's campaign recorded $12,810 in expenses for Emirates Airlines and $359.27 at a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, with social media posts showing him and his wife in the city around the same time. The campaign's records also include thousands of dollars spent at high-end restaurants and hotels across the U.S. between 2024 and 2026.</p>