2002 – 1Q
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILING
FIRST QUARTER 2002
I. Introduction
The Regulation of Campaign Consultants Ordinance (“Ordinance”), San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 1.500-1.540, was approved by San Francisco voters in November 1997. The Ordinance requires persons who earn $1,000 or more per year for campaign consultant services to register with the Ethics Commission and file quarterly activity reports.
The first quarter activity reports were due on March 15, 2002 and covered the filing period beginning December 1, 2001 and ending February 28, 2002. Twenty-two campaign consultants filed with the Ethics Commission in the first quarter of 2002.1
II. Comparative Data
The level of campaign consultant activity has fluctuated since the first filing in June 1998 (the second quarter of 1998). The chart on the next page compares data compiled pertaining to campaign consultant activity since implementation of the Ordinance. As indicated, the level of campaign consultant activity increases or decreases depending on 1) whether an election is held and 2) the number of local items on the ballot.
During the fourth quarter of 1999, there was a great deal of campaign activity due to a highly contested mayoral race. During the fourth quarter of 2000, campaign consultant activity reached a high point with a large number of candidates running for all 11 seats on the Board of Supervisors in district elections and numerous ballot measures. Campaign consultant activity dropped to an all time low during the second quarter 2001, but has returned to normal levels since that time.
Quarter |
Number of Consultants |
Total Payments Promised |
Total Payments Received |
Total Contributions Made |
Second Quarter 1998 |
24 |
$1,560,742 |
$1,432,631 |
$4,100 |
Third Quarter 1998 |
25 |
$341,745 |
$379,859 |
$3,405 |
Fourth Quarter 1998 |
30 |
$638,498 |
$784,507 |
$1,975 |
First Quarter 1999 |
22 |
$71,969 |
$142,355 |
$550 |
Second Quarter 1999 |
28 |
$201,983 |
$485,071 |
$1,500 |
Third Quarter 1999 |
34 |
$395,440 |
$1,168,597 |
$4,150 |
Fourth Quarter 1999 |
38 |
$1,343,362 |
$2,489,276 |
$3,800 |
First Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$904,891 |
$1,293,901 |
$2,750 |
Second Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$169,599 |
$186,663 |
$1,275 |
(continued on next page)
Quarter |
Number of Consultants |
Total Payments Promised |
Total Payments Received |
Total Contributions Made |
Third Quarter 2000 |
20 |
$293,110 |
$467,379 |
$18,900 |
Fourth Quarter 2000 |
25 |
$2,437,695 |
$2,332,401 |
$26,348 |
First Quarter 2001 |
17 |
$216,952 |
$236,785 |
$800 |
Second Quarter 2001 |
15 |
$6,500 |
$6,500 |
$100 |
Third Quarter 2001 |
18 |
$137,751 |
$58,560 |
$5,550 |
Fourth Quarter 2001 |
23 |
$640,589 |
$690,272 |
$12,825 |
First Quarter 2002 |
22 |
$242,752 |
$259,357 |
$1,100 |
III. The Campaign Consultant Ordinance
The Ordinance defines “campaign consultant” to mean a person or entity that receives or is promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year for providing either of the following services:
“Campaign Management,” defined to mean conducting, coordinating or supervising a campaign to elect, defeat, retain or recall a local candidate, or adopt or defeat a local ballot measure, including but not limited to:
(a) Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
(b) Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
(c) Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
(d) Selecting or recommending vendors or subvendors of goods or services for the campaign
“Campaign Strategy,” defined to mean planning for the election, defeat, retention or recall of a local candidate, or for the adoption or defeat of a local ballot measure, including not but limited to:
(a) Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
(b) Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
(c) Seeking financing; or
(d) Advising on public policy positions.
Employees of campaign consultants do not themselves qualify as campaign consultants. However, persons and entities that subcontract with a campaign consultant to provide campaign consulting services and that receive or are promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year do qualify as campaign consultants.
Campaign consultants are required to report only activity associated with local candidates or local ballot measures. For purposes of the Ordinance, “candidate” means: (1) a person who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to local office, (2) or a local officeholder who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to any elective office, (3) or a local officeholder who is the subject of a recall election.
“Local officeholder” means the following elected officers: Mayor, Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, City Attorney, District Attorney, Treasurer, Sheriff, Assessor, Public Defender, Members of the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District, Members of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District.
“Measure” means a local referendum, or a local ballot measure, whether or not it qualifies for the ballot.
The Commission staff has compiled the information filed by campaign consultants for the first quarter of 2002 in the attached tables. All amounts reported by campaign consultants have been rounded off.
IV. Description of Quarterly Report Tables
Twenty-two filers reported activity pertaining to the November 6, 2001 and March 5, 2002 elections. Table 1 reflects the elective offices and ballot measures appearing on those ballots.
Table 2 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the first quarter of 2002. Filers are listed in descending order of the payments received. Also reported are the total payments promised by or received from clients and any political contributions made by the filers.
Filers are required to report “economic consideration” promised by or received from clients in exchange for campaign consulting services during the applicable reporting period. Economic consideration includes payments, fees, commissions, reimbursements for expenses, gifts or anything else of value. Table 3 lists the name of the filer in alphabetical order, the filer’s clients, the services performed for that client, the payment promised by the client in the reporting period, and the payment actually received. The table also indicates the total payments promised or received. The payments promised by all clients to filers during the first quarter totaled $242,752. The payments received by all filers from all clients during the first quarter totaled $259,357.
Filers must report each political contribution of $100 or more to a candidate for local office, a committee controlled by local officeholder or candidate for local office, or a ballot measure committee whether or not the committee is controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office. Filers must report contributions of $100 or more made or delivered by the filer, or made by the filer’s client at the filer’s behest, or for which the filer acted as an agent or intermediary during the reporting period. This chart indicates the political contributions made by campaign consultants during the reporting period. The total reported amount of political contributions made by filers during the first quarter was $1,100.
Each filer must report economic consideration promised to or received by the filer during the reporting period from vendors and subvendors who provide campaign-related goods or services to the filer’s current clients. No filer reported any economic consideration promised to or received from vendors or subvendors during this reporting period.
Each filer must report any gifts promised or made by the filer to a local officeholder during the reporting period which in the aggregate total $50 or more. No filer reported any gifts promised or made to a local officeholder during this reporting period.
If the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the officeholder or City employee and describe the nature of the employment by the filer. In addition, if a client of the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee at the behest of the filer during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the client, the name of each officeholder or City employee hired by the client, and the nature of the employment by the client. One filer reported employing a City employee during the reporting period.
If the filer obtains a City contract during the reporting period and the contract is approved by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the contract, the date the contract was obtained, and the name of the officeholder who approved the contract. No filer reported obtaining a City contract during the reporting period.
If the filer is appointed to public office during the reporting period and the appointment is made by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the public office to which the filer was appointed, the date of the appointment, and the name of the officeholder who appointed the filer. No filer reported appointment to public office during the reporting period.
1 All campaign consultants are sent pre-deadline notices. Non-filers are subject to late fines.
2002 – 2Q
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILING
SECOND QUARTER 2002
I. Introduction
The Regulation of Campaign Consultants Ordinance (“Ordinance”), San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 1.500-1.540, was approved by San Francisco voters in November 1997. The Ordinance requires persons who earn $1,000 or more per year for campaign consultant services to register with the Ethics Commission and file quarterly activity reports.
The second quarter activity reports were due on June 15, 2002 and covered the filing period beginning March 1, 2002 and ending May 31, 2002. Twenty-three campaign consultants filed with the Ethics Commission in the second quarter of 2002.1
II. Comparative Data
The level of campaign consultant activity has fluctuated since the first filing in June 1998 (the second quarter of 1998). The chart on the next page compares data compiled pertaining to campaign consultant activity since implementation of the Ordinance. As indicated, the level of campaign consultant activity increases or decreases depending on 1) whether an election is held and 2) the number of local items on the ballot.
During the fourth quarter of 1999, there was a great deal of campaign activity due to a highly contested mayoral race. During the fourth quarter of 2000, campaign consultant activity reached a high point with a large number of candidates running for all 11 seats on the Board of Supervisors in district elections and numerous ballot measures. Campaign consultant activity dropped to an all time low during the second quarter 2001, but has returned to normal levels since that time.
Quarter |
Number of Consultants |
Total Payments Promised |
Total Payments Received |
Total Contributions Made |
Second Quarter 1998 |
24 |
$1,560,742 |
$1,432,631 |
$4,100 |
Third Quarter 1998 |
25 |
$341,745 |
$379,859 |
$3,405 |
Fourth Quarter 1998 |
30 |
$638,498 |
$784,507 |
$1,975 |
First Quarter 1999 |
22 |
$71,969 |
$142,355 |
$550 |
Second Quarter 1999 |
28 |
$201,983 |
$485,071 |
$1,500 |
Third Quarter 1999 |
34 |
$395,440 |
$1,168,597 |
$4,150 |
Fourth Quarter 1999 |
38 |
$1,343,362 |
$2,489,276 |
$3,800 |
First Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$904,891 |
$1,293,901 |
$2,750 |
Second Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$169,599 |
$186,663 |
$1,275 |
Third Quarter 2000 |
20 |
$293,110 |
$467,379 |
$18,900 |
Fourth Quarter 2000 |
25 |
$2,437,695 |
$2,332,401 |
$26,348 |
First Quarter 2001 |
17 |
$216,952 |
$236,785 |
$800 |
Second Quarter 2001 |
15 |
$6,500 |
$6,500 |
$100 |
Third Quarter 2001 |
18 |
$137,751 |
$58,560 |
$5,550 |
Fourth Quarter 2001 |
23 |
$640,589 |
$690,272 |
$12,825 |
First Quarter 2002 |
22 |
$242,752 |
$259,357 |
$1,100 |
Second Quarter 2002 |
23 |
$121,413 |
$311,663 |
$2,100 |
III. The Campaign Consultant Ordinance
The Ordinance defines “campaign consultant” to mean a person or entity that receives or is promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year for providing either of the following services:
“Campaign Management,” defined to mean conducting, coordinating or supervising a campaign to elect, defeat, retain or recall a local candidate, or adopt or defeat a local ballot measure, including but not limited to:
(a) Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
(b) Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
(c) Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
(d) Selecting or recommending vendors or subvendors of goods or services for the campaign
“Campaign Strategy,” defined to mean planning for the election, defeat, retention or recall of a local candidate, or for the adoption or defeat of a local ballot measure, including not but limited to:
(a) Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
(b) Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
(c) Seeking financing; or
(d) Advising on public policy positions.
Employees of campaign consultants do not themselves qualify as campaign consultants. However, persons and entities that subcontract with a campaign consultant to provide campaign consulting services and that receive or are promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year do qualify as campaign consultants.
Campaign consultants are required to report only activity associated with local candidates or local ballot measures. For purposes of the Ordinance, “candidate” means: (1) a person who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to local office, (2) or a local officeholder who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to any elective office, (3) or a local officeholder who is the subject of a recall election.
“Local officeholder” means the following elected officers: Mayor, Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, City Attorney, District Attorney, Treasurer, Sheriff, Assessor, Public Defender, Members of the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District, Members of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District.
“Measure” means a local referendum, or a local ballot measure, whether or not it qualifies for the ballot.
The Commission staff has compiled the information filed by campaign consultants for the second quarter of 2002 in the attached tables. All amounts reported by campaign consultants have been rounded off.
IV. Description of Quarterly Report Tables
Table 1: March 5, 2002 and November 5, 2002 Ballot Items
Twenty-two filers 2reported activity pertaining to the March 5, 2002 and November 5, 2002 elections. Table 1 reflects the elective offices and ballot measures appearing on those ballots.
Table 2: Total Reported Activity March 1, 2002 – May 31, 2002
Table 2 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the second quarter of 2002. Filers are listed in descending order of the payments received. Also reported are the total payments promised by or received from clients and any political contributions or gifts to officeholders made by the filers.
Table 3: Client Payment Report
Filers are required to report “economic consideration” promised by or received from clients in exchange for campaign consulting services during the applicable reporting period. Economic consideration includes payments, fees, commissions, reimbursements for expenses, gifts or anything else of value. Table 3 lists the name of the filer in alphabetical order, the filer’s clients, the services performed for that client, the payment promised by the client in the reporting period, and the payment actually received. The table also indicates the total payments promised or received. The payments promised by all clients to filers during the second quarter totaled $121,413. The payments received by all filers from all clients during the second quarter totaled $311,663.
Table 4: Political Contributions
Filers must report each political contribution of $100 or more to a candidate for local office, a committee controlled by local officeholder or candidate for local office, or a ballot measure committee whether or not the committee is controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office. Filers must report contributions of $100 or more made or delivered by the filer, or made by the filer’s client at the filer’s behest, or for which the filer acted as an agent or intermediary during the reporting period. This chart indicates the political contributions made by campaign consultants during the reporting period. The total reported amount of political contributions made by filers during the second quarter was $2,100.
Each filer must report economic consideration promised to or received by the filer during the reporting period from vendors and subvendors who provide campaign-related goods or services to the filer’s current clients. No filer reported any economic consideration promised to or received from vendors or subvendors during this reporting period.
Each filer must report any gifts promised or made by the filer to a local officeholder during the reporting period which in the aggregate total $50 or more. No filer reported any gifts promised or made to a local officeholder during this reporting period.
Table 7: Employment of Local Officeholders and City Employees
If the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the officeholder or City employee and describe the nature of the employment by the filer. In addition, if a client of the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee at the behest of the filer during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the client, the name of each officeholder or City employee hired by the client, and the nature of the employment by the client. No filer reported activity in this category.
If the filer obtains a City contract during the reporting period and the contract is approved by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the contract, the date the contract was obtained, and the name of the officeholder who approved the contract. No filer reported obtaining a City contract during the reporting period.
If the filer is appointed to public office during the reporting period and the appointment is made by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the public office to which the filer was appointed, the date of the appointment, and the name of the officeholder who appointed the filer. No filer reported appointment to public office during the reporting period.
1 All campaign consultants are sent pre-deadline notices. Non-filers are subject to late fines.
On May 2, 2002, Ross Mirkarimi registered as a campaign consultant for Dennis Herrera for City Attorney, reporting earnings of $2,500 received on May 1, 2002.
On June 17, 2002, Marc O’Hara of Precision Politics registered as a campaign consultant for Protect Our Benefits, reporting earnings of $20,000 promised and recevied in the fourth quarter 2001, $15,000 promised and received in the first quarter 2002, and $15,000 promised and received in the second quarter 2002.
2 Ross Mirkarimi reported activity related to the November 2001 election.
2002 – 3Q
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILING
THIRD QUARTER 2002
I. Introduction
In November 1997, San Francisco voters approved the Regulation of Campaign Consultants Ordinance (“Ordinance”), San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 1.500-1.540. The Ordinance requires persons who earn $1,000 or more per year for campaign consultant services to register with the Ethics Commission and file quarterly activity reports.
The third quarter activity reports were due on September 16, 2002 and covered the filing period beginning June 1, 2002 and ending August 31, 2002. Forty campaign consultants filed with the Ethics Commission in the third quarter of 2002.
II. Comparative Data
The level of campaign consultant activity has fluctuated since the first filing in June 1998 (the second quarter of 1998). The chart on the next page compares data compiled pertaining to campaign consultant activity since implementation of the Ordinance. As indicated, the level of campaign consultant activity generally increases or decreases depending on 1) whether an election is held and 2) the number of local items on the ballot.
Due to recent increased education by the Commission about the responsibilities of campaign consultants, a record number of consultants registered during the third quarter. However, the reported earnings do not match those reported in the fourth quarters of 1999 and 2000, when campaign consultant activity reached high points due, respectively, to a greatly contested mayoral race and candidates running for all eleven seats on the Board of Supervisors.
Quarter |
Number of Consultants |
Total Payments Promised |
Total Payments Received |
Total Contributions Made |
Second Quarter 1998 |
24 |
$1,560,742 |
$1,432,631 |
$4,100 |
Third Quarter 1998 |
25 |
$341,745 |
$379,859 |
$3,405 |
Fourth Quarter 1998 |
30 |
$638,498 |
$784,507 |
$1,975 |
First Quarter 1999 |
22 |
$71,969 |
$142,355 |
$550 |
Second Quarter 1999 |
28 |
$201,983 |
$485,071 |
$1,500 |
Third Quarter 1999 |
34 |
$395,440 |
$1,168,597 |
$4,150 |
Fourth Quarter 1999 |
38 |
$1,343,362 |
$2,489,276 |
$3,800 |
First Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$904,891 |
$1,293,901 |
$2,750 |
Second Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$169,599 |
$186,663 |
$1,275 |
Third Quarter 2000 |
20 |
$293,110 |
$467,379 |
$18,900 |
Fourth Quarter 2000 |
25 |
$2,437,695 |
$2,332,401 |
$26,348 |
First Quarter 2001 |
17 |
$216,952 |
$236,785 |
$800 |
Second Quarter 2001 |
15 |
$6,500 |
$6,500 |
$100 |
Third Quarter 2001 |
18 |
$137,751 |
$58,560 |
$5,550 |
Fourth Quarter 2001 |
23 |
$640,589 |
$690,272 |
$12,825 |
First Quarter 2002 |
22 |
$242,752 |
$259,357 |
$1,100 |
Second Quarter 2002 |
23 |
$121,413 |
$311,663 |
$2,100 |
Third Quarter 2002 |
40 |
$320, 373 |
$345,325 |
$2,200 |
III. The Campaign Consultant Ordinance
The Ordinance defines “campaign consultant” as a person or entity that receives or is promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year for providing either of the following services:
“Campaign Management,” defined as conducting, coordinating or supervising a campaign to elect, defeat, retain or recall a local candidate, or adopt or defeat a local ballot measure, including but not limited to:
(a) Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
(b) Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
(c) Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
(d) Selecting or recommending vendors or subvendors of goods or services for the campaign
“Campaign Strategy,” defined as planning for the election, defeat, retention or recall of a local candidate, or for the adoption or defeat of a local ballot measure, including not but limited to:
(a) Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
(b) Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
(c) Seeking financing; or
(d) Advising on public policy positions.
Employees of campaign consultants do not themselves qualify as campaign consultants. However, persons and entities that subcontract with a campaign consultant to provide campaign consulting services and that receive or are promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year do qualify as campaign consultants. Similarly, employees of campaigns who engage in campaign management or campaign strategy and are promised or receive $1,000 or more in a calendar year also qualify as campaign consultants.
Campaign consultants are required to report only activity associated with local candidates or local ballot measures. For purposes of the Ordinance, “candidate” means: (1) a person who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to local office, or (2) a local officeholder who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to any elective office, or (3) a local officeholder who is the subject of a recall election.
“Local officeholder” means the following elected officers: Mayor, Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, City Attorney, District Attorney, Treasurer, Sheriff, Assessor, Public Defender, Members of the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District, and Members of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District.
“Measure” means a local referendum, or a local ballot measure, whether or not it qualifies for the ballot.
The Commission staff has compiled the information filed by campaign consultants for the third quarter of 2002 in the attached tables. All amounts reported by campaign consultants have been rounded off.
IV. Description of Quarterly Report Tables
Thirty out of the forty filers reported activity pertaining to the November 5, 2002 election. Table 1 reflects the elective offices and ballot measures appearing on the ballot.
Table 2 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the third quarter of 2002. Filers are listed in descending order of the payments received. Also reported are the total payments promised by clients and any political contributions or gifts to officeholders made by the filers.
Filers are required to report “economic consideration” promised by or received from clients in exchange for campaign consulting services during the applicable reporting period. Economic consideration includes payments, fees, commissions, reimbursements for expenses, gifts or anything else of value. Table 3 lists the name of the filer in alphabetical order, the filer’s clients, the services performed for that client, the payment promised by the client in the reporting period, and the payment actually received. The table also indicates the total payments promised or received by all filers. The payments promised by all clients to filers during the third quarter totaled $320,373. The payments received by all filers from clients during the third quarter totaled $345,325.
Filers must report each political contribution of $100 or more to a candidate for local office, a committee controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office, or a ballot measure committee whether or not the committee is controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office. Filers must report contributions of $100 or more made or delivered by the filer, or made by the filer’s client at the filer’s behest, or for which the filer acted as an agent or intermediary during the reporting period. This chart indicates the political contributions made by campaign consultants during the reporting period. The total reported amount of political contributions made by filers during the third quarter was $2,200.
Each filer must report economic consideration promised to or received by the filer during the reporting period from vendors and subvendors who provide campaign-related goods or services to the filer’s current clients. No filer reported any economic consideration promised to or received from vendors or subvendors during this reporting period.
Each filer must report any gifts promised or made by the filer to a local officeholder during the reporting period which in the aggregate total $50 or more. No filer reported any gifts promised or made to a local officeholder during this reporting period.
Employment of Local Officeholders and City Employees
If the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the officeholder or City employee and describe the nature of the employment by the filer. In addition, if a client of the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee at the behest of the filer during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the client, the name of each officeholder or City employee hired by the client, and the nature of the employment by the client. No filer reported activity in this category.
If the filer obtains a City contract during the reporting period and the contract is approved by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the contract, the date the contract was obtained, and the name of the officeholder who approved the contract. No filer reported obtaining a City contract during the reporting period.
If the filer is appointed to public office during the reporting period and the appointment is made by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the public office to which the filer was appointed, the date of the appointment, and the name of the officeholder who appointed the filer. No filer reported appointment to public office during the reporting period.
2002 – 4Q
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILING
FOURTH QUARTER 2002
In November 1997, San Francisco voters approved the Regulation of Campaign Consultants Ordinance (“Ordinance”), San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Sections 1.500-1.540. The Ordinance requires persons who earn $1,000 or more per year for campaign consultant services to register with the Ethics Commission and file quarterly activity reports.
The fourth quarter activity reports were due on December 16, 2002 and covered the filing period beginning September 1, 2002 and ending November 30, 2002. Fifty campaign consultants filed with the Ethics Commission in the fourth quarter of 2002.
The level of campaign consultant activity has fluctuated since the first filing in June 1998 (the second quarter of 1998). The chart on the next page compares data compiled pertaining to campaign consultant activity since implementation of the Ordinance. As indicated, the level of campaign consultant activity generally increases or decreases depending on 1) whether an election is held and 2) the number and type of local items on the ballot. During the fourth quarters of 1999 and 2000, for example, campaign consultant activity was high due, respectively, to a greatly contested mayoral race and candidates running for all eleven seats on the Board of Supervisors. In contrast, campaign consultant activity was considerably less during the second quarters of 2001 and 2002 because there was no election.
Due to recent increased education by the Commission about the regulation of campaign consultants, a record number of consultants registered during the third and fourth quarters of 2002. There was considerable activity in the fourth quarter 2002 due to the large number of highly contested local ballot measures and candidates running for five vacant seats on the Board of Supervisors. The total payments received by campaign consultants during the fourth quarter 2002 was the highest amount ever recorded.
Quarter |
Number of Consultants |
Total Payments Promised |
Total Payments Received |
Total Contributions Made |
Second Quarter 1998 |
24 |
$1,560,742 |
$1,432,631 |
$4,100 |
Third Quarter 1998 |
25 |
$341,745 |
$379,859 |
$3,405 |
Fourth Quarter 1998 |
30 |
$638,498 |
$784,507 |
$1,975 |
First Quarter 1999 |
22 |
$71,969 |
$142,355 |
$550 |
Second Quarter 1999 |
28 |
$201,983 |
$485,071 |
$1,500 |
Third Quarter 1999 |
34 |
$395,440 |
$1,168,597 |
$4,150 |
Fourth Quarter 1999 |
38 |
$1,343,362 |
$2,489,276 |
$3,800 |
First Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$904,891 |
$1,293,901 |
$2,750 |
Second Quarter 2000 |
17 |
$169,599 |
$186,663 |
$1,275 |
Third Quarter 2000 |
20 |
$293,110 |
$467,379 |
$18,900 |
Fourth Quarter 2000 |
25 |
$2,437,695 |
$2,332,401 |
$26,348 |
First Quarter 2001 |
17 |
$216,952 |
$236,785 |
$800 |
Second Quarter 2001 |
15 |
$6,500 |
$6,500 |
$100 |
Third Quarter 2001 |
18 |
$137,751 |
$58,560 |
$5,550 |
Fourth Quarter 2001 |
23 |
$640,589 |
$690,272 |
$12,825 |
First Quarter 2002 |
22 |
$242,752 |
$259,357 |
$1,100 |
Second Quarter 2002 |
23 |
$121,413 |
$311,663 |
$2,100 |
Third Quarter 2002 |
40 |
$320, 373 |
$345,325 |
$2,200 |
Fourth Quarter 2002 |
50 |
$3,002,128 |
$3,243,997 |
$8,003 |
III. The Campaign Consultant Ordinance
The Ordinance defines “campaign consultant” as a person or entity that receives or is promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year for providing either of the following services:
“Campaign Management,” defined as conducting, coordinating or supervising a campaign to elect, defeat, retain or recall a local candidate, or adopt or defeat a local ballot measure, including but not limited to:
(a) Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
(b) Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
(c) Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
(d) Selecting or recommending vendors or subvendors of goods or services for the campaign.
“Campaign Strategy,” defined as planning for the election, defeat, retention or recall of a local candidate, or for the adoption or defeat of a local ballot measure, including not but limited to:
(a) Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
(b) Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
(c) Seeking financing; or
(d) Advising on public policy positions.
Employees of campaign consultants do not themselves qualify as campaign consultants. However, persons and entities that subcontract with a campaign consultant to provide campaign consulting services and that receive or are promised $1,000 or more in a calendar year do qualify as campaign consultants. Similarly, employees of campaigns who engage in campaign management or campaign strategy and are promised or receive $1,000 or more in a calendar year also qualify as campaign consultants.
Campaign consultants are required to report only activity associated with local candidates or local ballot measures. For purposes of the Ordinance, “candidate” means: (1) a person who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to local office, or (2) a local officeholder who has taken affirmative action to seek nomination or election to any elective office, or (3) a local officeholder who is the subject of a recall election.
“Local officeholder” means the following elected officers: Mayor, Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, City Attorney, District Attorney, Treasurer, Sheriff, Assessor, Public Defender, Members of the Board of Education of the San Francisco Unified School District, and Members of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District.
“Measure” means a local referendum, or a local ballot measure, whether or not it qualifies for the ballot.
The Commission staff has compiled the information filed by campaign consultants for the fourth quarter of 2002 in the attached tables. All amounts reported by campaign consultants have been rounded off.
IV. Description of Quarterly Report Tables
Forty-two out of the fifty filers reported activity pertaining to the November 5, 2002 and December 10, 2002 elections. Table 1 reflects the elective offices and ballot measures appearing on the ballots.
Table 2 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the fourth quarter of 2002. Filers are listed in descending order of the payments received. Also reported are the total payments promised by clients and any political contributions or gifts to officeholders made by the filers.
Filers are required to report “economic consideration” promised by or received from clients in exchange for campaign consulting services during the applicable reporting period. Economic consideration includes payments, fees, commissions, reimbursements for expenses, gifts or anything else of value. Table 3 lists the name of the filer in alphabetical order, the filer’s clients, the services performed for that client, the payment promised by the client in the reporting period, and the payment actually received. The table also indicates the total payments promised or received by all filers. The payments promised by all clients to filers during the fourth quarter totaled $3,002,128. The payments received by all filers from clients during the fourth quarter totaled $3,243,997.
Filers must report each political contribution of $100 or more to a candidate for local office, a committee controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office, or a ballot measure committee whether or not the committee is controlled by a local officeholder or a candidate for local office. Filers must report contributions of $100 or more made or delivered by the filer, or made by the filer’s client at the filer’s behest, or for which the filer acted as an agent or intermediary during the reporting period. This chart indicates the political contributions made by campaign consultants during the reporting period. The total reported amount of political contributions made by filers during the fourth quarter was $8,003.
Each filer must report economic consideration promised to or received by the filer during the reporting period from vendors and subvendors who provide campaign-related goods or services to the filer’s current clients. No filer reported any economic consideration promised to or received from vendors or subvendors during this reporting period.
Each filer must report any gifts promised or made by the filer to a local officeholder during the reporting period which in the aggregate total $50 or more. No filer reported any gifts promised or made to a local officeholder during this reporting period.
Employment of Local Officeholders and City Employees
If the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the officeholder or City employee and describe the nature of the employment by the filer. In addition, if a client of the filer employs a local officeholder or City employee at the behest of the filer during the reporting period, the filer must report the name of the client, the name of each officeholder or City employee hired by the client, and the nature of the employment by the client. No filer reported activity in this category.
If the filer obtains a City contract during the reporting period and the contract is approved by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the contract, the date the contract was obtained, and the name of the officeholder who approved the contract. No filer reported obtaining a City contract during the reporting period.
If the filer is appointed to public office during the reporting period and the appointment is made by a local officeholder who is the filer’s client, the filer must report the public office to which the filer was appointed, the date of the appointment, and the name of the officeholder who appointed the filer. No filer reported appointment to public office during the reporting period.