Campaign Filings Reveal Interesting DonorsPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Aug. 11‚ 2008In the Battle for the Board of Supervisors, Downtown interests continue to fund District 3 candidate Claudine Cheng, but they’re also helping Joe Alioto Jr. And David Chiu’s not the only progressive in that race under fire for “Republican connections” – as Denise McCarthy took money from the likes of Gap CEO Don Fisher and Dede Wilsey. In District 11, Julio Ramos has raised money from the building trades – while real estate interests are funding Ahsha Safai. John Avalos has strong progressive support in that race, but Randy Knox (who raised no money before June 30) has the endorsement of Aaron Peskin and Bevan Dufty. In District 1, the moderate “usual suspects” are funding Sue Lee – but she also got help from nonprofit director Gordon Chin. Expect the JROTC ballot initiative to be heavily used in that race as a soft money conduit against Eric Mar. In District 4, Carmen Chu is clearly the establishment choice, but her main rival – Ron Dudum – took a check from eviction lawyer Andrew Zacks. No big surprises in District 9 (where 3 progressives are duking it out), but Mayor Newsom’s candidate – Eva Royale – has yet to raise a dime. |