A pair of propositions on zoning changes in Barrio Logan have drawn the bulk of the political cash in San Diego this year, according to campaign finance reports posted by the city Friday.
An organization led by area shipyards that oppose a City Council-approved update of the Barrio Logan Community Plan has vastly out-raised and outspent community and environmental groups that support the zoning regulations.
The propositions will appear on the June 3 primary election ballot.
Opponents of the zoning plan contend that suppliers to the area’s maritime industry would eventually be pushed out of Barrio Logan, which would raise the cost of doing business in San Diego. The plan does not actually kick the firms out of the neighborhood, but substantial remodels or expansion would require them to go through a difficult permitting process.
An organization called “Protect Our Jobs, No on B & C, Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association, Major Funding by NASSCO and BAE Systems,” reported Thursday that it raised nearly $393,000 between March 18 and May 17.
The group has received more than $918,000 since Jan. 1, according to its filing.
Among the major donors were the group’s main sponsors, General Dynamics NASSCO, with $457,000 this year, and BAE Systems, $150,000. The Ship Repair Association added $25,000 and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce gave $20,000.
The anti-B and C group reported that it has spent almost $717,000 since the beginning of the year on media, public relations and legal representation.
The supporters of the zoning update, working under the name of “Yes on B and C, Barrio Logan Community Plan,” reported raising about $44,000 since Jan. 1 and spending $13,555 on printing and research.
The group reported a cash balance of more than $30,000, but $22,000 in unpaid bills.
Donors included the real estate investor Lawrence Hess, who gave $12,000; the reelection campaign of Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, which provided $10,000; Manpower CEO Mel Katz, who also gave $10,000; City Council President Todd Gloria’s 2012 reelection campaign, which provided $5,000; and the campaign to reelect Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, which gave $2,500.
In other races, Councilwoman Lorie Zapf has out-raised challenger Sarah Boot for the District 2 City Council seat.
From the beginning of this year, she’s raised just over $218,000 and has $175,000 cash on hand. Boot reported raising roughly $82,000 and having $33,000 or so remaining.
The candidates’ disclosures only tell part of the story, however, since several groups have formed to support or oppose Zapf, who is shifting over from her current District 6, following re-districting.
“Neighbors United for a Better City Government Supporting Lorie Zapf for Council 2014,” which was formed by a politcal group, the Lincoln Club of San Diego County, has spent about $83,000 to support the councilwoman, according to the reports.
The “Coalition of Coastal Communities for Lorie Zapf for Council 2014” has shelled out around $68,000 on her behalf. Among the key contributors to the coalition were the Building Industry Association, National Association of Realtors, and the San Diego Restaurant and Beverage Council.
The Infrastructure Political Action Committee of the Associated General Contractors, San Diego Police Officers PAC, Downtown San Diego Partnership San Diego Jobs PAC and San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce PAC also spent money to keep her in office, according to the disclosure statements.
Opposing Zapf is a PAC called “San Diegans for Honesty and Integrity, a Committee to Defeat Pay-to-Play Candidate Lorie Zapf for Council 2013,” which reported getting $75,000 from the union that represents the city’s white-collar workers, and $50,000 from the firefighters union.
– City News Service
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