San Diego's Political Parties Donate Big Bucks Before Contribution Caps Take Effect

The days of the main political parties giving their candidates in the city of San Diego unlimited amounts of money ended this week, but not before major donations were doled out, party leaders said Friday.

The old limits on party contributions for the technically nonpartisan races of $1,000 were struck down by a federal judge, so the 2012 election campaigns were held without any caps on such giving—a situation that existed until new caps took effect Thursday.

Supporters had hoped they would have taken effect in the middle of July, but Mayor Bob Filner waited about two weeks before signing the ordinance July 2. A 30-day waiting period was required before the limits—$20,000 for citywide races and $10,000 for City Council campaigns—became law.

Tony Krvaric, the chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, said his organization gave $50,000 to the campaign of Councilwoman Lorie Zapf, looking to switch to the seat of Kevin Faulconer, who will be termed-out next year.

The county GOP also gave $20,000 to Chris Cate, the vice president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, who hopes to succeed Zapf.

Both were endorsed by the party.

The San Diego County Democratic Party gave $7,500 Tuesday to Myrtle Cole, who won her seat in a special election in May, Chairwoman Francine Busby told City News Service. She said the contribution was to help Cole retire her campaign debt.

In a campaign finance filing with the City Clerk's Office, reflecting the period from Jan. 1 to June 30, Zapf reported around $130,000 in contributions from individuals, but none from the county party. This week's party donation came after the reporting period ended, but before the new restrictions took effect.

Cate reported $54,000 in donations from individuals over the same time period, but none from the party.

The county Democratic Party gave Cole separate donations totaling $17,000 prior to this week, according to her financial disclosure, giving her a total of $24,500.

Busby said the county Democratic Party has not endorsed any council candidates.

While Cole is expected to run for reelection next year, the only other other Democrat to declare a run for City Council is grant-writer Carol Kim, who reported raising no money. Kim plans to challenge Cate in a district that covers eastern portions of the city.

Lifeguard union head Ed Harris has pulled out of the race to succeed Faulconer, who represents the city's beach areas, according to Voiceofsandiego.org. No replacement Democratic candidates have filed in his place.

—City News Service