The concept of California liberals writing checks to a Cheney amuses some political observers, given the deep antipathy toward the congresswoman’s father, Dick Cheney, when he served as vice president under George W. Bush.

“People are not only rolling over in their graves — they’re actually tossing and turning in their graves right now,” said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School. But, she added, those critics of Dick Cheney are ”also probably giving a thumbs-up” over the younger Cheney’s principles.

The donations irk some Democrats, who say the money won’t make a difference in Cheney’s race and would be better spent helping Democrats in tight contests as the party struggles to hold control of Congress. They also contend the donations could give Cheney a bipartisan patina if she runs for higher office.

“Wyoming is cheap; she’s not in an expensive media market. Voters know her well. She already has sky-high name ID. Nothing in this race is going to be impacted by more or less money,” said a prominent Democratic fundraiser who requested anonymity to avoid harming relationships with donors.

“I don’t know what they think they’re accomplishing,” the fundraiser added. “A lot of people are scared for the future of our country, and they believe correctly that we need the partnership of certain Republicans in order to protect it, and she would be an ally in that work. But that’s not the only work I care about.”