State of the Givers

A donor identified on federal filings as Alexander G. Spanos, A.G. Spanos Companies/Founder, gave $30,800 to the Republican National Committee on June 16. Philip Anschutz, the Denver billionaire who is developing Farmers Field in Los Angeles, which some San Diego fans fear might snatch the Chargers away, has also been a major GOP player, giving $30,400 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee as well as $10,000 to the Colorado Republican Committee. Anschutz didn’t give any contributions to California politicos, but his firm, AEG, did contribute $2500 to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party-Issues and Advocacy Committee.

Billionaire Union-Tribune owner Tom Gores isn’t down for any federal contributions so far this year, but his brother Alec, also a billionaire, gave $35,800 to the Obama Victory Fund 2012 and an identical amount to the Democratic National Committee on April 26.

Local billionaire Irwin Jacobs, who is lobbying hard to make over Balboa Park with a new road plan, gave just $5000 in April to the political action committee of Qualcomm Inc., the company he founded. The PAC in turn distributed its cash to a variety of candidates, including GOP congressman Brian Bilbray, Democratic congressman John Dingell, the Democratic congressional and senatorial campaign committees, and Democratic senator from Alaska, Mark Begich.