It’s bad news for local government when special interests which have so much influence at the state and national levels interfere in our city council elections.
Candidates update campaign contribution totals
With just over a week to go until Election Day, another round of updated campaign contribution forms were submitted in the competitive San Mateo City Council race where seven are seeking three seats.
Nearly $123,216 has gone toward supporting current Planning Commissioner Eric Rodriguez. He has raised $52,748 toward his own campaign, including a $5,000 loan, and spent about $45,327. The California Apartment Association independently spent $20,649.39 to see him elected while the National Association of Realtors spent $49,819, according to forms filed with the city.
Follow the money
Big money is arguably the most corrosive factor in American politics today. We have seen this nationally, and we are now seeing this in our local city council elections.
The selling of San Mateo’s democracy
In a throwback to last year’s contentious debate over rent control when national as well as state apartment associations and Realtor groups raised more than $1 million to defeat two ballot measures in San Mateo and Burlingame, similar groups are again funneling thousands of dollars into the local election.
Money flows in San Mateo City Council race
As San Mateo voters near a choice for who they want representing them on the City Council, big money is flowing in from landlord and Realtor lobbyist groups.
Campaign finance forms are being submitted as the Nov. 7 election nears with seven vying for three seats on the San Mateo City Council. In a throwback to last year’s contentious debate over rent control when national as well as state apartment associations and Realtor groups raised more than $1 million to defeat two ballot measures in San Mateo and Burlingame, similar groups are again funneling thousands of dollars into the local election.
One San Mateo 