Pete Wilson maxes out late to Faulconer

Their cash arrived the day before the election — traditional timing for controversial contributions that might otherwise become negative campaign fodder — but ex–San Diego mayor Pete Wilson and his wife Gayle came through for now mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer.

Wilson, the former mayor, who went on to become a United States senator, California governor, and failed Republican presidential candidate, kicked in the maximum individual contribution of $1000, as did his wife Gayle, on February 10, according to a filing made February 11, election day, by the Faulconer for Mayor committee.

Wilson, a natty dresser who reportedly never really liked living in what he saw as the branch-office, border-town atmosphere of San Diego, now resides in Los Angeles, where he works as a consultant to the Bingham Consulting Group, the filing says.

According to the firm's website:

Led by former New Hampshire Governor and Attorney General Stephen Merrill and former Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Representative Chris Cox, Bingham Consulting professionals bring more than 100 years of experience in senior level government positions.

We use our understanding of the interplay of investigative, prosecutorial, legislative and regulatory processes to help clients develop the right mix of business, legal and communications strategies to succeed.

Wilson is perhaps best memorialized in history for his advocacy of 1994's Proposition 187, the anti-immigrant measure that many blame for creating hostility among Latinos that has haunted Republicans ever since.

“They keep coming,” said Wilson’s TV spot at the time. “Two million illegal immigrants live in California. The federal government does nothing to stop them at the borders but expects us to spend billions to take care of them.”

“For Californians who work hard, pay taxes, and obey the law," Wilson declared, "I am working to deny state services to illegal immigrants.”

The GOP’s Faulconer vanquished his Democratic foe David Alvarez by about 54 to 45 percent.