Who’s Funding Alhambra’s City Council Candidates?

There is a not unfounded belief that Alhambra operates under a “pay-to-play” scheme or “spoils system” of government. The same people, funded by the same moneyed interests, have run the City for decades. Alhambra’s election system has solidified this unbalanced power structure.

By Sean McMorris

Alhambra operates under an at-large voting system without donor limits or other local campaign finance laws. At-large elections greatly increase the cost of running for Alhambra City Council and incentivizes candidates to seek large campaign donations from moneyed special interests. Those moneyed special interest donors have reliably aligned themselves with incumbents and status-quo candidates, which, has in turn made it nearly impossible for qualified grassroots candidates, or small donor candidates, to win an Alhambra election. The result? Quid pro quo politics, nepotism, questionable city contracts, nasty campaigns, cancelled elections, political scandals, Brown Act violations, and bribery.

A rare opportunity for Alhambrans

Alhambrans will have a rare opportunity in November to completely change the nature of their city council. Three Alhambra City Councilmembers are terming out in 2018 and currently two of those races are contested. The candidate for District 2 will likely be seated automatically for lack of an opponent (not an uncommon phenomenon in Alhambra). But how are you supposed to know which candidates are most likely to move the city in a new direction and which are likely to maintain the status quo? Or, put another way, who is a candidate likely to be more beholden to: moneyed special interests or the electorate?

One way to find out is by researching a candidate’s background, platform, and messaging, but too often candidates say what they think will get them elected then act otherwise once in office, or, they say very little and rely on a campaign war chest that allows them to inundate residents with fancy mailers. Thus, it is prudent for constituents to consider who is funding a candidate’s campaign. After all, under Alhambra’s current electoral system, money tends to speak louder than words. So, follow the money.

Tracking a Campaign’s Money

Quarterly campaign finance reports (Form 460s) were due on July 31st. All qualified political committees are required to file these reports at various times throughout the year. They provide transparency into who is funding a particular campaign. They also act as a check on the misuse of campaign funds, which is regulated by state and local campaign finance laws.

Although many cities post local campaign finance reports online for the public to easily access, Alhambra does not. However, Alhambra would be required to do so in the future if a local ballot initiative effort is successful. Until then, it is up to the press and community members to make these reports available to the public so that residents can make up their own minds about why certain people and interest groups are funding a particular candidate’s campaign.

Here is a breakdown of Alhambra’s city council candidates and the people and entities backing them. Keep in mind that Alhambra City Council candidates tend to raise most of their money between the months of July and November. (Note: Alhambra has five voting districts but candidates are still elected via at-large voting).

District 1 candidates

– Dr. Luara Tellez Gagliano

- (Laura Tellez Form 460)

Laura is a retired superintendent of the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD), and has raised just under $4,000 through June 31. She has loaned her campaign $1,000 and has received $547 in small donations (donations under $100). Most of the rest of her donations have come from current and former Alhambra City Councilmembers (Jeff Maloney, David Mejia, Gary Yamauchi -via his vending company-, and Stephen Sham), as well as one AUSD board member (Robert Gin) and former CA Assemblyman (Mike Eng).

Laura also accepted a $500 donation from city contractor, Republic Services (the City’s trash collector), and an in-kind contribution for banquet facility services from ACI, which appears to be the acronym for Almansor Court, Inc. (see 1986 contract and later contracts cited below), a company that is one of many owned and operated by Brad Perrin, also a city contractor with a 50 year no-bid contract for concession services at Alhambra’s golf course (See terms in original 1984 contract and 1996 contract). Both Brad Parrin and Republic Services have donated handsomely to current and former city councilmembers over the decades. Laura’s largest single donation is $500 (from multiple sources).

 

– Katherine Lee

- (Katherine Lee Form 460)

Katherine is a middle school teacher at AUSD. Her campaign is currently self-funded with $2,000 through June 31.

 

– Andrea Lofthouse

Andrea is a high school teacher at AUSD. She entered the race late and has not yet raised the qualifying amount of $2,000, as of June 31, to have to file a Form 460 with the City.

District 2 candidates

– Ross Maza

Ross is a real estate broker and former Alhambra Planning Commissioner. Ross has not yet raised the qualifying amount of $2,000, as of June 31, to have to file a Form 460 with the City. (Maza’s opponent dropped out of the race so Ross will likely be seated automatically by the city council).

District 5 candidates

– Adele Andrade-Stadler

- (Adele Andrade-Stadler Form 460)

Adele is an AUSD board member. Adele has raised $8,600 as of June 31. Most of Adele’s donations have come from teachers, retirees, and family members. Adele has also received donations from some local, state, and federal politicians (Congresswoman Judy Chu, former Assemblyman Mike Eng, Assemblyman Ed Chau, AUSD Board Member Robert Gin, and San Gabriel City Councilwoman Denise Menchaca). She has received $1,300 in small donations (donations under $100), and a $550 loan from her husband. Adele’s largest single donation is $500 (from multiple sources).

 

– Suzi Dunkel-Soto

- (Suzi Dunkel-Soto From 460)

Suzi is a Realtor for Keller Williams Realty and a former Alhambra Planning Commissioner. She is also the Immediate Past President of the West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors. Suzi has raised just under $15,000 as of June 31. Nearly all of Suzi’s donations have come from realtors and real estate PACs.  Suzi accepted a $5,000 donation from the California Real Estate Political Action Committee and a $1,500 donation from another real estate PAC that is unidentifiable because of an incorrect or incomplete committee ID# listed on Suzi’s Form 460. Suzi also accepted a $250 donation from city contractor, Al’s Towing. Al’s towing and its owner, Joe Pavon, have consistently given large campaign donations to current and former Alhambra City Councilmembers. Pavon benefits from a no-bid contract with the City for towing services.

Suzi has also received campaign donations from Alhambra Councilmembers Stephen Sham, Jeff Maloney, and David Mejia. Suzi has raised $1,337 in small donations (donations under $100). Suzi’s largest donation is for $5,000.

 

– Julian Reyes

Julian works for CBS 2 News. He also sits on Alhambra’s Arts and Cultural Events Committee. Julian entered the race late and has not yet raised the qualifying amount of $2,000, as of June 31, to have to file a Form 460 with the City.

Councilmembers Terming out

None of the 3 Alhambra City Councilmembers terming out accepted donations last quarter, but Stephen Sham still has just under $9,000 in his campaign account while Louis Ayala has a whopping $50,000 left in his account. They cannot keep that money when they leave office in January. Something to keep an eye on as the Alhambra City Council race progresses.

Will Alhambrans turn a rare opportunity into a golden one and change the nature of their city council in November? Time will only tell.

> Stay Informed: The candidates’ next campaign finance reports are due on Sept. 27, 2018, and again on Oct. 25, 2018. 24 hour reporting (Form 497s) of donations of $1,000 or more are due beginning on Sept. 8 though Nov. 6. Anyone can view a candidate’s campaign financial reports (Form 460) as well as their statements of economic interest (Form 700) at any time by visiting the City Clerk‘s office at Alhambra City Hall.

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