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For Immediate Release August 20, 2001 |
Contact: John H. Sullivan 916-443-4900 www.cjac.org |
SACRAMENTO - The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) reported today that California trial lawyers contributed a $783,000 to statewide and legislative incumbents during the first half of this year as the state moves toward the 2002 elections.
"At this rate we are looking at another multi-million dollar election cycle for the wealthy personal injury lawyer lobby," said John H. Sullivan, CJAC president. "Their goal is to win passage of irresponsible laws like they are pursuing right now to bludgeon big settlements from everyone they sue."
Of the total, $614,000 (78%) was contributed by individual lawyers and law firms. This is money that doesn't show up when researchers look only at political action committees to identify plaintiffs' lawyer political dollars.
Statewide office holders received $498,000 of the total plaintiffs' lawyer dollars, while $285,000 went to legislators.
Governor Gray Davis received $288,000, Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante $6,000, Secretary of State Phil Angelides $60,000, and Attorney General Bill Lockyer $143,000. Fully 14% of Lockyer's contributions during the six month period came from trial lawyers.
Most of the non-PAC money ($494,000) went to statewide office holders, while legislators received $119,000.
Among senators, top recipient of plaintiffs' lawyer money was Senator Jack O'Connell at $33,700 (5% of total contributions received). In the Assembly, the money leader was Assemblyman Kevin Shelly at $14,600 (18% of total contributions received).
California trial lawyers contributed a total of $6 million to incumbents and candidates in the 1999-2000 state election cycle. In 1997-1998, when statewide offices were on the ballot, total trial lawyer contributions hit $10.3 million.
Sullivan said that political contributions are a legitimate part of our freedom to communicate and select government representatives. However, the public should know when a powerful few are running a massive program to elect representatives to promote their narrow agenda.
Contributions by recipient and prior year contributions can be found by visiting www.cjac.org .
