Liberals spending

Former Democratic state assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, who has left the party and become an independent, came in third to mayor Kevin Faulconer and Democrat Ed Harris in this year’s race for San Diego mayor. The big-money forces behind Republican Faulconer, including the Washington DC–based American Petroleum Institute, vastly outspent his opponents. But Saldana’s bid did get some five-figure financial help from a San Francisco liberal group, a recent disclosure filing shows.

PowerPAC.org Voter Fund, founded and run by political consultant Andy Wong, spent $24,997 on a direct mail drive here. Wong is also on the board of PowerPAC+, formed in 2012 “to build the political power of America’s multiracial majority,” according to its website.

Among the group’s financial angels have been San Francisco civil rights attorney Steve Phillips, with $30,000, and the California Charter Schools Association Advocates Independent Expenditure Committee, with $14,100, state filings show.