Sara Jacobs self-funds House campaign to the tune of $2.74 million

The intra-partisan battle to succeed Democratic House member Susan Davis in California's 53rd Congressional district has taken a back seat to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But already there is an emerging winner, at least when it comes to fundraising. Sara Jacobs, the granddaughter of billionaire Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs, has collected a total of $3.2 million since last October 1.

Her opponent, fellow Democrat and San Diego city council president Georgette Gomez, lags with $925,822, according to raw campaign finance data posted online by the Federal Elections Commission. The results cover the period from October 1 of last year through this March 31.

The difference comes from the ability of Jacobs to self-fund her campaign. Since entering the contest last fall, she has personally contributed a total of $2.74 million, according to the FEC's online data.

She made $500,000 contributions on December 10 of last year, January 24, and February 4, as well as coming up with $500,067 on February 24, and $690,00 on March 2.

Other millionaire donations to the Jacobs cause included a total of $16,800 from Rebecca Moores, ex-wife of former Padres owner John Moores, and their daughter Jennifer.

Gomez's campaign kitty, on the other hand, booked just $20 from the candidate. Sources of significant Gomez money included $5,000 each from the California Federation of Teachers COPE and the Laborers' International of North America on December 31.

James Silverwood of Affirmed Housing gave $1800 the same day, as did John Michael of the law firm Peck Madigan Jones.

Affirmed hired Southwest Strategies & Advocacy, LLC last year, to lobby the city council for " design review approval by Civic San Diego for project at the southeast corner of Front and Beech Streets in downtown San Diego," says an April 29, 2019 disclosure filing.

Rapid growth of the coronavirus pandemic in early March brought an end to live fundraising events, ostensibly disadvantaging candidates who hadn't already put money in the bank or, like Jacobs, are mainly self-funded.

But between March 9 and March 31, the end of the latest reporting period, Gomez outraised her wealthy opponent, posting $43,175 compared to $6748 for Jacobs.

Gomez donations included $2800 on March 30 from Breton Peace, son of ex-Democratic state senator Steve Peace, and $5000 on March 27 from the labor's Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Political Action League. Jacobs's largest donation during March was $2800 from longtime Democratic donor Suzanne Hess, whose occupation was listed as "not employed."