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A Look at Campaign Financing
2009 Vallejo City Council Race
By Marc Garman 10/6/09
Money makes the world go 'round...or so they say. This is especially true when looking at politics. So, we've done a little breakdown covering overall contributions for the 2009 Vallejo City Council race, including those who gave in the $500 plus range.
Of note are contributions from Vallejo funeral director and vintage car enthusiast Buck Kamphausen to both Tom Bartee and Hermie Sunga for $3020 and $6000 respectively. Buck is known for his financial involvement in the Vallejo political process, as well as his financial support of the business community in downtown Vallejo. In the past he has funded both Bartee and Sunga as well as councilmember Michael Wilson with campaign contributions. He has also made business loans to both Wilson and Bartee as well as to numerous downtown Vallejo businesses and property owners. The loans are primarily funded by funeral trusts Buck presides over. Safe to say that Buck has some influence. Also safe to say that if it weren't for dead folks...Vallejo's downtown would be completely devoid of any signs of life. You can read a bit more about Buck in a recent Times Herald article HERE.
Marti Brown has received the highest level of contribution so far at $38,454 and Sam Kurshan has received almost no financial backing with his reported intake at under $1000. The loans to Tom Bartee for $5,289 and Marie “Punkie” Nelson for $17,222 are from the candidates to themselves.
It is always interesting when the financial reports for the last reporting period come out in December. Contributing at the last minute is a technique used by some groups or individuals to conceal their support until after the election. Of course, handshake agreements are put in place months earlier, and candidates take loans etc. with the full knowledge that they will be paid back by their shadow supporters. Not exactly “ducky” according to the FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) but hard to prove. Not sure if that's going to be the case this year....we'll just have to wait and see. Here's the breakdown:
2009 Vallejo City Council Election--Contributions 1/1/09 to 9/19/09
The loans to Bartee and Nelson were from the candidates themselves
Contributions of $500 or more—Monetary and Non-Monetary
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