According to the latest financial statements (listing data through 11/6), total spending reported in our election is $240,700; 2/3 of that ($160,000) from out-of-town sources.
Reports turned in to the City Clerk as of Friday, Nov. 8, showed that three PAC committees have spent a total of $82,800 in out-of-town money in our election. This -- added to the $77,200 out-of-town money contributed directly to our candidates (mainly Strawbridge) -- brings the grand total of out-of-town money to $160,000. Thus outside money represented 2/3 of all the money spent in our election.
Spending by the three independent PAC groups:
- $31,600 - United Workers for Local Govt. (coalition of trade unions, civic, fire & police unions)
- $31,200 - Benicia Local Govt. Accountability Coalition (construction-related businesses with close ties to Seeno)
- $20,000 - Calif. Citizens for Excellence in Govt. (refinery-related businesses with links to Valero)
$82,800 = Total outside money spent by all three PACs
Outside money contributed directly to candidates:
Council candidate Scott Strawbridge received $66,400 in contributions, of which $61,000 was from out of town (91%), mostly from trade unions and some corporations. The remaining $5,400 included a loan to himself of $2,500.
An additional $16,200+ in outside money was contributed directly to the other candidates.
Thus, the total out-of-town money contributed directly to all the candidates for Council and Mayor was over $77,200.
Add to that the total of $82,800 in outside money spent by the three independent PACs.
Grand total Out-of-town money in our election (reported so far) $160,000
Grand total In-town contributions to all candidates approx. = $80,700
Grand total spending in our election = $240,700; with 2/3 of that ($160,000) from out-of-town sources.
It's interesting to note that the three winning candidates in the election all received the lowest amounts from out-of-town contributors: Mayoral candidate Elizabeth Patterson received $1,300; Council candidate Tom Campbell received $2,570; Council candidate Mike Ioakimedes received $$5,280.
"This is about whether a small town can own its own elections or whether outsiders own our elections."
(Elizabeth Patterson, Contra Costa Times article, 11/4/07)
To read more about the outside money sources that swamped our election, and other articles about issues of interest to Benicians, visit:
http://beniciaelection2007.blogspot.com
http://www.beniciaindependent.com
http://benicianews.blogspot.com
http://www.beniciafirst.org
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