Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom's fundraising efforts picked up steam this summer in the race for the 50th Assembly District.
In the most recent three-month reporting period between July 1 and Sept. 30, Bloom raised $175,166—almost half of the $392,649 that has been contributed to his campaign since the beginning of the year.
By a wide margin, he is still out-funded by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, who is inching closer to mounting a campaign chest of $1 million. She collected $289,736 this quarter for a total of $901,690 since January.
Related: Butler Trounces Bloom in Campaign Spending
One of the mayor's top contributors was NMS Properties, Inc., an apartment developer behind a controversial new Political Action Committee that's funneling money into Santa Monica's City Council race.
The Democratic State Central Committee of California was Butler's biggest contributor this year, dropping a total of $89,884 in contributions on the campaign since May. During the latest reporting period, the committee gave Butler $9,484.
The endorsement from the state party ruffled feathers during the June primary campaign. At the time, supporters of then-opponent Torie Osborn—who ended up with the fewest votes June 5—said Assembly Speaker John Perez, who is a Butler supporter, made sure his pick got the victory.
Other major contributors that made recent contributions to Butler's campaign include:
- American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
California People Small Contributor Committee
Contributed $7,800 on Aug. 1
- California Real Estate Political Action Committee
Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 25
- California State Council of Laborers Political Action Committee
Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 28
- California Dental Political Action Committee
Contributed $7,800 on July 31
- California Teachers Association / Assoc. For Better Citizenship (CTA/ABC)
Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 17
Top contributors to Bloom's campaign include:
- NMS Properties, inc.
Contributed $5,000 on June 14
- Democracy Engine
Contributed $4,400 on Aug. 8
- Aileen Getty
Contributed $3,900 on Aug. 20
- Arch Kirkwood
Contributed $3,900 on Aug. 1
- Beachbody
Contributed $3,900 on Sept. 29
- Californians Allied For Patient Protection Political Action Committee
Contributed $3,900 on Sept. 12
Related Articles:
- State Dems Back Butler for 50th Assembly Seat
- Candidates Accused of Stacking Endorsements
Should we be alarmed yet? This public servant job pays about $92,000/year. What is the return on the investment for the entities contributing to the campaigns? Maybe the candidates can agree to give the $1.4 million to the schools and/or other causes near and dear to their hearts and job share!
"I will take anyone over Bloom- who has spearheaded in his 13 years- the developer destruction of Santa Monica- no matter how he tries to spin it- way too friendly with all of them - and look at the horrible changes in this once great city since he took office." Santa Monica is a zoo - crowded with tourists and lacking in the neighborhood feeling it once had.... over developed now with cops driving up and down the streets constantly! There is way too much money wasted on political campaigns.. I wonder if Abraham Lincoln could have run for president today?! He didn't have money!!! I'm still looking for those with the heart of an Abraham Lincoln.......
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Residents, on the other hand, owe anyone his developers' lapdog a** might hurt the way he has hurt SM a big warning. There are bad politicians, but Richard, Gleam, and Terry are liars besides, all having run as "smart Growth" backers and then approved every development that came along.