 |
|
CONTACT: John H. Sullivan or Barbara M. Wheeler
PHONE: (916) 443-4900
Trial lawyers pumped an amazing $1,300,000 into 14 of the hottest legislative races in Tuesday's elections.
"The numbers confirm that trial lawyers continue to be an incredibly high-spending single interest group," said John H. Sullivan, president of the Civil Justice Association of California.
An analysis of reports filed with the Secretary of State reveals that from March 10 through the election, trial lawyers poured at least $888,000 into five Senate races and $435,000 into nine Assembly races between March 10 and the November 5 election.
"While the total amount contributed by their political action committees alone is staggering, this money is dwarfed by contributions from individual trial lawyers and by other indirect contributions," Sullivan said. He noted, for example, that approximately 15% of the campaign funds raised by Senate Bill Lockyer during the year came from trial lawyers. While Lockyer, pro tem of the Senate, did not face election this year, he contributed several million dollars to help candidates who were on Tuesday's ballot.
Among Senate winners in Tuesday's election who received heavy trial lawyer funding were: Jeff Smith $229,164; Dede Alpert $206,608; Adam Schiff $178,622; Betty Karnette $147,331. Former legislator Rusty Areias, who lost to Bruce McPherson, received $126,698 from trial lawyers.
In Assembly races, recipients of large trial lawyer contributions included Jack Scott $98,958; Lily Cervantes $88,355; Gerrie Shipske $67,136, Howard Wayne $39,731, Debra Bowen $34,107, Susan Davis $32,164, Sally Havice $28,659; Virginia Strom-Martin $23,997, and Scott Wildman $21,870.
"While political contributions are a legitimate part of our freedom to communicate and select our legislators, the public should be warned when a single special interest runs a massive program to elect people they hope will look out after them in Sacramento," Sullivan said.
