La Jolla’s Marco moment

Republican senator Marco Rubio isn’t giving up on his putative bid for the Republican presidential nomination, even as fellow Floridian Jeb Bush tries to clear the field for his own ambitions. While U-T San Diego publisher Douglas Manchester was out raising cash for Texas ex-governor Rick Perry — yet another GOP contender — Rubio recently swung through La Jolla to pick up campaign funds from some big local names, the Tampa Bay Times has reported.

Sponsors of the San Diego fundraising event included steakhouse owner and Chargers stadium promoter Dan Shea and wife Sally; Chargers stadium task force member Douglas Barnhart and spouse Nancy; and Rancho Santa Fe’s Sandy Kahn, son of the late Irvin Kahn of Teamsters Union loan notoriety. The paper says a private reception and photo with Rubio for $2600–$500 a pop gained entry to a general reception.

Chargers owner Alex Spanos, said by his family to be suffering from dementia, is still managing to find the way to his political checkbook. According to a major donor statement filed February 2 with the California Secretary of State’s office, Spanos and “affiliated entities” made a total of $113,400 in state campaign contributions during 2014.

Perhaps tellingly in light of recent rumors that the Chargers may leave town for Los Angeles, none of the cash went directly to San Diego politicos, though the state GOP, which backed Kevin Faulconer for mayor, got $50,000. Ashley Swearengin, who lost her state controller race to Democrat Betty Yee, received $10,000. Local candidates in Stockton, where Spanos lives, picked up the rest.