National Democrats Out Raise Republicans in Santa Monica

By Blair Clarkson
Staff Writer

March 30 -- Living up to their left-leaning politics, Santa Monica residents have donated almost three times more money to Democratic campaigns than to those of Republican candidates during the current election cycle.

But local residents have contributed more funds to the campaign war chest of President George W. Bush than to any of his individual Democratic challengers during the 2004 election cycle.

The reported contributions, however, only reflect donations of $200 or more and don’t include smaller contributions that candidates, such as Howard Dean, relied on during their campaigns.

According to figures reported by the Federal Election Commission, President Bush has received more than $177,000 in campaign funds from residents in Santa Monica's five zip codes.

One-time Democratic frontrunner Howard Dean led all other recipients with $162,650, while retired General Wesley Clark took in $119,200.

Rounding out the presidential field are John Kerry with $87,700 in donations, Richard Gephardt with $49,400, Joseph Lieberman with $40,950 and John Edwards with $25,281.

When it came to contributions of $200 or more, residents in the city’s affluent 90402 zip code north of Montana donated more than twice as much than any other section of the City, according to the FEC data. The top recipients for that area were Bush ($93,300), Dean ($86,800), Kerry ($59,750) and Clark ($37,350).

In the 90405 zip code -- which encompasses Ocean Park, Sunset Park and the Pico Neighborhood -- Clark topped the donation list with $36,350, followed closely by Bush ($30,200) and Dean ($27,900). Sunset Park is the former home of the Douglas Aircraft Company.

Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) accounted for nearly $60,000 worth of donations from the 90404 zip code, which includes the Mid-City neighborhood. Dean was the highest grossing presidential candidate with $18,500.

Bush's campaign contributions ($31,250) from donors in the 90401 zip code, which includes the Downtown, outpaced those for Clark ($15,100), Dean ($13,100) and Edwards ($13,000).

The fewest donations of $200 or more donations came from the 90403 zip code in the Wilshire-Montana Neighborhood, which gave the most money to Clark ($20,150) and Dean ($16,350). The area has a high density of renters.

On a national party level, the Republican National Committee received $100,860 from all city residents, while its Democratic counterpart collected $85,865.

Because funds donated to the Democratic National Committee Services Corporation are not distributed directly to candidates, and instead used for party building and "get out the vote" efforts, money given to this committee is not subject to campaign contribution limits.

Currently, individuals are allowed to donate up to $2,000 to a candidate's campaign, $25,000 to a national party committee and $10,000 to a political action committee (PAC).

According to the FEC figures, several City residents have made hefty contributions to various committees and campaigns.

Philanthropist Tamme Simon-McCauley gave $50,000 to the DNC; actress Barbara
Streisand gifted $25,000 to the DNC and $8,000 to the DSCC; business owner John Dorman dropped $25,000 on the DSCC; and producer James L. Brooks contributed $10,000 to Barbara Boxer's campaign committee.

Likewise, Activision Chairman Robert Kotik gave $24,500 to the RNC; Caruso Affiliated CEO Rick Caruso and his wife Tina each gifted $25,000, and realtor Fred Plotke donated $15,000 to the RNC.

State Sen. Sheila James Kuehl, who represents the district that includes Santa Monica, donated $300 to the Dean campaign.