Juan Vargas was a big success at the polls, thanks to hefty sums given by Leon, Jerome, and Simon Falic and “homemakers” with the same last name.

Another easy winner in last week’s elections, Democratic congressman Juan Vargas, got some last-minute money from three Florida “homemakers.” Debbie, Gila, and Jana Falic each chipped in $2600 on October 30, as did Jerome Falic, the chief executive officer of Duty Free Americas, seeking to preserve its presence at the border as the federal government prepares to condemn 12 acres of its property for freeway realignment. Duty Free president Leon Falic and chairman Simon Falic made it unanimous for Vargas with $2600 contributions of their own. …

Ex–San Diego city councilman Tony Young, who quit his seat to take charge of the local Red Cross for what turned out to be a mysteriously abbreviated term, has picked up a new lobbying client: the San Diego Transportation Association, described on Young’s October 31 disclosure filing as a “Taxi cab industry advocacy association.” The group has been run by Tony Hueso, owner of U.S.A. Cab and brother of Democratic assemblyman Ben Hueso, who was busted this summer for drunk driving after a party on a state capitol balcony. …

Meanwhile, San Diego marijuana lobbyists had a reasonably good third quarter peddling their perceived influence at city hall. Laing Strategic Communications, run by ex–Jerry Sanders media handler Rachel Laing, got $2500 for lobbying for changes in the city’s zoning ordnance on behalf of the Alliance for Responsible Medicinal Access. Community Engagement Resources, which specializes in “in working with clients with unique and sometimes challenging interests,” according to its website, was paid $4500 by Highland Medical Packaging for advocating “fair zoning and licensing regulations.”