Out of the lobby

Back in November, we reported here that San Diego County district attorney Bonnie Dumanis spent a total of $35,680 in the second quarter of last year lobbying the state legislature on various bills, including those to boost funding for gang abatement and increase criminal penalties for repeat hit-and-run drivers. (Budget issues killed the latter, according to its sponsor, Democratic Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña.) Most of the cost of the lobbying, $31,341, was attributed to paying part of the salary of Gail J. Stewart-Brockman, a former TV reporter who is the D.A.’s “Special Assistant” for “Legislation and Social Media.” Five nights at the Hyatt Sacramento across from the Capitol, at a daily average of $270, rounded out the budget. But the D.A.’s influence-peddling days are apparently through, as the office’s lobbyist registration was terminated late last year. … Whichever way the tight race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination turns out, someone in Dave Winfield’s family is sure to win. The ex-Padre slugger, who lives with his wife Tonya in the ritzy Bel Air section of Los Angeles, is now employed by the Padres as “vice president and senior advisor.” In August, Tonya gave $2000 to Clinton; in September, her husband contributed $2300 to Obama.