Union Bosses Pour Money into California Mayoral Campaign


Millions in forced dues are being poured into the San Diego mayoral race by union bosses.  Mark Walker of UTSanDiego.com, has the story:

Of the more than $3.3 million Alvarez and independent expenditure committees working on his behalf have amassed since the campaign began before the November election, nearly 82 percent has come from union sources and 16 percent from individual contributors.

Forces aligned behind City Councilman Kevin Faulconer have raised more than $2.4 million. Thirty-three percent of the Faulconer campaign money has come from business-oriented political action committees and 66 percent from individuals.

The source of the money has emerged as a major issue in the campaign to succeed former Mayor Bob Filner in the Feb. 11 election runoff, with both candidates claiming the other is in the pocket of special interests.

“I will not be beholden to the forces that our got our city in trouble to begin with,†Faulconer said during a debate Friday, referring to the city’s fiscal woes. “As mayor, I understand … that the mayor is the chief labor negotiator for the city of San Diego. You want somebody on the other side of that table that’s representing you, that’s representing neighborhoods.â€

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