Posts Tagged: donations

in California’s elections, progressives try to elbow in

Emanuel Gonzales, a progressive candidate, campaigns in the 32nd Congressional District. (Photo: Gonzales campaign)

by JOAQUIN ROMERO posted 03.02.2020

There are a growing number of candidates who describe themselves as progressives. They have varied backgrounds but have one thing in common — their chances of actually winning are very, very small. Across California, more and more people are opting to run for higher office, seizing onto the theories of change spearheaded by progressives like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

State Dem Party shuns private-prison donations*

Headquarters of the California Democratic Party in Sacramento. (Photo: cadem.org)

by SCOTT SORIANO posted 07.13.2018

The head of the California Democratic Party says the CDP will no longer accept political contributions from private prison corporations. Party Chair Eric Bauman said any contributions received since May 21, 2017 would be “donated to organizations doing critical work to protect immigrants from the Trump administration or to support and rehabilitate recently incarcerated folks.”

Rookie Assemblymember Patty Lopez, a political novice who captured the 39th Assembly District in a dramatic upset, is being outspent 10-to-1 by her opponent – the same person she beat two years ago for the San Fernando Valley seat.

Influencing lawmakers: A primer on special interests’ muscle

State Capitol, Sacramento. (Photo: Wikimedia)

by By CHRIS MICHELI and TOM NUSSBAUM posted 03.12.2015

ANALYSIS: When we think of “special interests,” we most often associate them with lobbying legislators. However, interest groups not only actively lobby in the legislative arena, but also they are active in efforts to influence state agencies and their regulatory activities. These interest groups vary depending on the role and function of the particular state agency.

ProPublica: Charity for troops aids Tea Party

An illustration of promotional material from Move America Forward. (Photo:ProPublica)

by KIM BARKER posted 08.12.2014

From ProPublica: Move America Forward calls itself the nation’s “largest grassroots pro-troop organization,” and has recruited a bevy of Republican luminaries, including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney, to support its efforts. Yet an examination of its fundraising appeals, tax records and other documents shows that Move America Forward has repeatedly misled donors and inflated its charitable accomplishments, while funneling millions of dollars in revenue to the men behind the group and their political consulting firms.