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REGION: GOP outpacing Democrats in fundraising
50th District challenger had stronger quarter than incumbent Bilbray
By GARY WARTH - Staff Writer | ∞
North County Republican congressional candidates have a healthy fundraising lead over their Democratic challengers, according to financial disclosure reports released Tuesday.
The area's two Republican incumbents, Brian Bilbray in the 50th District and Darrell Issa in the 49th District, have raised more than twice than their Democratic challengers since early last year.
Bilbray's Democratic challenger, however, raised more than him from April 1 to June 31. During that quarter, Democratic challenger Nick Leibham raised $245,504 while Bilbray raised $210,315, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Bilbray, first elected to the 50th District in a special election to replace Randy "Duke" Cunningham in 2006, has raised $770,435, about twice as much as the $348,689 raised by Leibham. He had previously served three terms representing the 49th District.
The 50th District includes coastal North County, parts of Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido. Like much of North County, it is a Republican stronghold in federal and state races. No Democrat has held a seat in the current configuration of the North County congressional districts, and it's been 18 years since a Democrat was elected to a state seat representing North County.
The 51st District, representing southern San Diego County, is a Democratic stronghold. Financial disclosure forms released Tuesday show incumbent Bob Filner with $1,474,896 raised and $138,841 on hand. Republican challenger David Lee Joy reported no money raised.
After spending $454,831, Bilbray has $453,120 left in his war chest, including money from past fundraising periods, and he has no debt.
Leibham has spent $202,922, has $181,767 in his war chest and a $15,046 debt.
About 25 percent of Bilbray's contributions came from political action committees, which are interest groups that receive contributions and spend more than $1,000 to influence federal political campaigns.
That $195,450 includes donations from pharmaceutical and health care companies Baxter, Merck, the American Medical Association, Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Genentech Inc., Allergan Inc., Eli Lilly & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, Becton, Dickinson & Co. and Cardinal Health.
Defense contractors contributing to Bilbray include Raytheon, Science Applications International, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Collins Inc., BAE Systems USA and Cubic Corp.
Bilbray also took money from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, tobacco company Altria Group (formerly Philip Morris), General Atomics, AT&T, Sempra Energy, Exxon, Qualcomm and the National Rifle Association of America.
Individual contributions to Bilbray also included $2,300 from Chargers owner Alex Spanos.
About 8 percent of Leibham's contributions came from political action committees. That $31,600 includes $4,600 from Francine Busby for Congress and donations from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Brady Voter Education Fund, the North Central Democratic Club, United Food and Commercial Workers, the pro-choice group NARAL, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly known as the AFL-CIO.
Individual contributions to Leibham include $2,000 from Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his wife, Nancy, and $1,000 from former congressman Lynn Schenk, a Democrat who represented the 49th District in San Diego for one term. She was defeated by Bilbray in 1994. Qualcomm Chairman Irwin Jacob and Price Club/Costco founder Sol Price also contributed to Leibham.
Libertarian challenger Wayne Dunlap reported no money raised in his bid for the 50th District.
In the race for the 49th Congressional District, which covers Oceanside, Vista, Fallbrook and Temecula, incumbent Issa has raised $666,144, with about 41 percent coming from political action committees. Issa has spent $593,687 and has a war chest of $110,739.
Issa, first elected in 2000, received $270,049 from political action committees, including pharmaceutical and health care companies Abbott Laboratories, Allergan Inc., American Podiatric Medical Association, Amgen Inc., Anesthesia Service Medical Group Inc., Edical Group Inc., Zeneca, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Genentech Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers and Purdue Pharma.
Defense contractors that contributed to Issa include BAE Systems, Cubic Corp., Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Issa also took money from Herbalife, Microsoft, Miller Brewing Co., National Beer Wholesalers, Anheuser-Busch and AT&T.
Democratic challenger Robert Hamilton has raised $46,342. Of that, about 11 percent ($5,090) was his own money. He has spent $19,072, has $27,270 on hand and has a debt of $5,400. His only money from political action committees was $1,000 from Francine Busby for Congress and $1,000 from the North Central Democratic Club.
Libertarian challenger Lars Grossmith reported no money raised in the race for the 49th District.
In the 52nd District, Republican newcomer Duncan D. Hunter has raised more than $640,000 in a bid to replace his father, Duncan Hunter, who has held the seat since 1981. His closest rival, Democrat David Lumpkin, has raised $204,531.
In the 52nd District, which includes much of East County and Ramona, Hunter has raised $640,547 and spent $538,455 during a heavily contested primary. He has $102,092 on hand.
Of Hunter's money, 23 percent ($145,249) came from political action committees, including donations from the conservative Eagle Forum and the American Conservative Union. Many of the donations came from political action committees formed to support other congressional candidates, including fellow Republican Trent Lott of Mississippi.
Hunter raised $495,194 from individual donors.
Lumpkin has raised $204,531, spent $164,261 and has $40,270 on hand. He also has $24,373 in debt and has contributed $1,310 of his own money. The $14,032 Lumpkin has raised from political action committees includes $2,300 from Francine Busby for Congress. Lynn Schenk also donated $500 to his campaign.
Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.
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John wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:14 PM:So we are stuck with them for another 2 years? Geeez Louise! What a bummer.
BlueCollar wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:09 AM:Bilbray is the only one talking about how solve this energy crisis, short and long term. Nick is just trying to demagogue and doesn't care about the working class who can't afford $30,000 hybrids like all of his elitist neighbors in Rancho Santa Fe. Bilbray understands the issue and how it affects us working people.
gimmeabreak wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:45 AM:Since when is it news that the Republican intensive Northern reaches of the county are filling the coffers of cookie cutter Republicans running for eternal office? It would be news if Issa or Bilbray's opponents were out-pointing them, but this is newsworthy? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . . .
Mel wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:16 AM:Mebbe if Democrats, as a general rule, respected the military around here a little more, they could get a little more funding. Unlike San Francisco, this is a town that respects and admires the military.
Matt wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:40 AM:I can't believe people will actually reelect these guys in a few months.
Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:10 AM:The fact that Republicans are outpacing Democrats in fundraising is no real shocker. Democrats are the ones looking for the government handouts and freebees, and aren't inclined to give up their own money, whereas the Republicans are the ones carrying the load and are the givers.
I hope wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:51 AM:it continues. The Democrats have ran the State into BK. Look what happened since they have gained control of Congress. Lowest approval, 9%, EVER! Energy crisis, unemployment, dollar low, inflation up. Wow can't wait if they get both the majority in Congress AND President.
Doesnt surprise me... wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:42 PM:that a liberal publication like the NCT finds this newsworthy. Typical democrat sentiment, cry when things don't go your way and try to rile up your bleeding heart constiuants. wah
Boat wrote on Jul 16, 2008 5:13 PM:As a veteran I always find it amusing that people defend conservatives like Bilbray as "patriotic" & "respectful of the military." He never served in the military himself. He consistently votes against funding for the VA. Check out his voting record. It speaks volumes about where his priorities are. And, it isn't with veterans & retired military in this area.
Who Cares wrote on Jul 16, 2008 5:45 PM:I am so sick of this partisan BS! Party line people (whether democrat or republican) are more of a problem than any chance of a solution. Anyone who has to align themselves with some stupid club in order to get elected probably isn't qualified anyway. Get rid of the parties and let people run on their own merits ... but wait ... that might actually mean work and individual thought ... we certainly can't have that.
Republican Voting Dem wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:26 PM:Blue Collar, if you have listened or paid attention to Brian Bilbray throughout his career, you would know that he is tied to oil industry. He worked for them as a lobbyist, and he's taken hundreds of thousands of dollars for him. I'm willing to bet on the newcomer, Nick Leibham. At least he's fresh enough to vote his conscious, not his campaign contributers interests. Also, we need someone who can work with the rest of Congress and the next President, not just yell and scream about immigrants.
GOP No More wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:07 AM:"Mike Lumpkin" not David as in this story, is perhaps the most qualified candidate running for congress in the country. This guy's bio is unreal. He's a true patriot and an expert on terrorism and stopping drug smuggling. He's not only a Navy SEAL but commanded the training of Seals. His last assignment before retireing to run for congress was as the Navy's representitive to Congress for special Operations. This is the guy I want on watch in Washington. I think even Mel could like this Democrat. Compare Mike to Duncan D. Not even close.
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