York has contributed $3M to Citizens for Efficient Government and PAC Full Voting RightsGETTY IMAGES
Four challengers for seats on the seven-member Santa Clara City Council have "received a significant financial windfall in recent weeks from a political action committee" funded by 49ers CEO Jed York, according to a front-page piece by Kerry Crowley of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. York has contributed $3M to Citizens for Efficient Government and Full Voting Rights, a PAC whose stated mission is to "bring diversity to the city council." Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor has described the money as “obscene” and accused York of "trying to buy seats on the council." The 49ers and the city have "been at odds over many issues since joining forces" in '10 to build Levi’s Stadium. 49ers VP/Public Affairs & Strategic Communications Rahul Chandhok insisted that York’s "motivation is to diversify the council." He said, “Mayor Gillmor is once again supporting a slate of all White candidates while she spends millions of dollars in taxpayer money to upend voting rights to dilute minority representation." However, Gillmor said that the 49ers are "using diversity as a cover for supporting council members who will vote with the franchise on various issues such as removing certain curfew restrictions at Levi’s Stadium" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/23).
CASH FLOW: In S.F., Ann Killion writes York's contribution is a "mind-blowing amount of money to infuse into a local race in a city of 130,000 people, and has some worrying that the 49ers are trying to turn the city into 'Yorkville.'" Gillmor said, "It's shocking and obnoxious. He's unhappy with the way Santa Clara is holding him accountable and he seems to figure it's cheaper to buy the city-council seats. Money seems to be no object." Killion notes the 49ers are "not happy with the county's decision to continue to prohibit fans" from Levi's Stadium. Gillmor and the council, which is "majority female (four council members) want to maintain oversight over the stadium." York's "influx of campaign funds, both for and against candidates of his choosing and which dwarfs the backing of any other funds coming into the race, appears to be an effort to change the dynamic" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/23).
FIGHTING BACK: In California, Jody Meacham reported filings with the Santa Clara city clerk's office shows that the Related Cos. -- founded by Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross -- "made its second donation to the city police union's political action committee." The first was $25,000 and Monday's was $45,000. Santa Clara Police Officers Association President Alex Torke, whose organization is "responsible for how Related's political donation is spent -- said it is intended to block York." The union is "spending its own and Related's money to support four other candidates allied" with Gillmor, including the only two incumbents in the race (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/22).
