Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Caucus fronts effort for Todd Gloria

Yet another torrent of special interest money, produced by unions and corporations lobbying the California legislature, is making its way to San Diego on behalf of Assembly Democrat Todd Gloria, seeking to replace termed-out Republican mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Gloria is already enmeshed in a long-running controversy over his creation of a 2020 Assembly reelection committee, used to raise money from corporations to fund political activities tied to his quest to be mayor.

Now comes the LGBT Caucus Leadership Fund, operated by the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Caucus, to which Gloria belongs.

City campaign disclosure filings show that the LGBT fund spent $64,794 on February 10 for the production and distribution of digital and direct mail advertising to boost Gloria's mayoral bid.

Donors to the LGBT fund have included the state cop union's Peace Officers Research Association of California Political Action Committee, with $25,000 January 6; the California Real Estate Political Action Committee-California, otherwise known as CREPAC, ($10,000, January 8); Pasadena's East West Bank ($15,000, January 13); and the Government Employees Insurance Co., known as GEICO ($15,000, January 22).

The LGBT fund's spending currently places it third among independent expenditures made here so far this month, city disclosure filings show.

In second place is Michael McConnell, the former coin store owner campaigning against the Measure C convention center expansion and homeless relief tax hike, with $128,150

Towering over all in first place is another big money effort to boost Gloria into the mayor's office. Called San Diegans from Every Community in Support of Todd Gloria for Mayor 2020, the fund spent $304,373 on polling, production, and advertising time through February 13, records show.

Furnishing cash for the effort is a bevy of labor and corporate special interests, many from out of town, including SEIU California State Council Political Committee ($48,571); American Federation of Teachers, Guild Local 1931-COPE ($25,000); San Diego Police Officers Association PAC ($5000); SEIU United Service Workers West Candidate PAC ($10,000); and giant public works engineering outfit WSP, USA ($3000.)