Chevron Spending $1.6 Million In Richmond, CA Municipal Elections (Population 106,000)
The biggest political campaign war chest in Richmond doesn't belong to a candidate, it belongs to a corporation that hopes to steer the city's November municipal election in its favor.
Chevron, the city's main employer and taxpayer, is also the biggest spender on political campaigns - it set aside $1.6 million in a political action committee called Moving Forward that supports the oil giant's favorite City Council and mayoral candidates. Let me repeat: $1.6 million. For local elections in a city of a little over 106,000 residents.
The campaign contribution limit in Richmond for both individuals and companies is $2,500, but political action committees can spend unlimited amounts of money on "in-kind" support - money not given directly to a candidate but spent on that candidate's behalf. Moving Forward calls itself a coalition of "labor unions, small businesses and public safety and firefighters associations." But the money for the PAC comes largely, if not solely, from Chevron.
So who are the beneficiaries of Chevron's generous contribution? Richmond City Councilman Nat Bates, who's running for mayor and Donna Powers, Charles Ramsey and Al Martinez, all candidates vying for seats on the City Council.
EDIT
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Chevron-pouring-money-into-Richmond-election-5704673.php
