Lena Gonzalez, courtesy city of Long Beach.
Tuesday March 12, 2019, 11:27 p.m.
BY BRIAN HEWS
An examination of campaign finance reports by Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News reveals that massive amounts of cash have been pumped into the campaign coffers of Long Beach City Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, who is running for the 33rd State Senate District.
The records show that the Coalition to Restore California’s Middle Class, Including Energy Companies who Produce Gas, Oil, Jobs and Pay Taxes (Coalition) has poured over $1.1 million into Gonzalez’ campaign since Feb. 25; the last contribution was $41,000 on March 11.
Gonzalez is running to replace state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara as the District 33 representative.
Shockingly, over $1 million was donated by the Coalition on the same day, Feb. 25.
The reports also show that the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO (Federation) contributed $97,000 on Feb. 26.
The glut of money first started with the Coalition donating an eye-opening $600,000 for TV ads and production.
On the same day, $116,000 was donated for digital media, consulting, research and production and $122,000 was donated for digital media production.
Finally, a massive $224,000 was donated for billboard advertising from Feb 24 thru Jun 6.
No to be outdone, the Federation stepped in one day later and shelled out over $97,000 for field programming, polling, and literature expenses.
Twelve days later the Coalition spent over $62,000 for “consulting and streaming programming” advertisements.
In addition, late contribution reports show heavy support from local unions.
The United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 324 PAC donated $4,700; the UFCW Western States Council Candidates PAC donated $8,500; the International Longshoreman Warehouse Workers Union PAC Local 13 gave $5,000; the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council #16 donated $9,300; UA Journeymen & Apprentices Local #250 PAC gave $4,700; the SEIU Local 2015 State PAC doled out $9,300; and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Political Action Fund chipped in $9,300.
Gonzalez also garnered donations from the Barona Band of Mission Indians who gave $2,500; the CA Latino PAC who donated $4,700; the California Professional Firefighters based out of Sacramento who gave $4,300; the California Teachers Association who chipped in $9,300, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles who gave $4,700, and the Fund Her PAC who shelled out $4,700.
Also, the Proven Progress PAC; a committee supporting Lena Gonzalez for Senate 2019, who’s treasurer is David Gould, took in $5,000 from the Long Beach Firefighters PAC, $34,900 for the Opportunity PAC based out of Pasadena, and $6,500 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters.
In contrast, 33rdcandidate Leticia Vasquez reported just over $3,000 in donations during the same period with barely $8,000 in cash on hand. Vasquez’ only major cash infusion was a $48,000 loan from herself.
The special election will be held March 26.
