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Second Quarter 2012 Summary of Activity of Campaign Consultants Registered with the City and County of San Francisco – March 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012

Benedict Y. Hur, Chairperson
John St. Croix, Executive Director

Report prepared by:
Catherine Argumedo

Date Issued: August 2, 2012

CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILINGS

SECOND QUARTER 2012

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 second quarter activity reports were due on June 15, 2012 and covered the filing period beginning March 1, 2012 and ending May 31, 2012.

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 and type of local items on the ballot.

QuarterNumber of ConsultantsTotal Payments PromisedTotal Payments ReceivedTotal Contributions Made
Second Quarter 200716$227,514$163,333N/A
Third Quarter 200719$479,895$414,496$69,137
Fourth Quarter 200719$1,262,553$1,324,139$35,875
First Quarter 200821$622,255$830,920$92,950
Second Quarter 200827$718,486$1,011,559$3,750
Third Quarter 200840$862,640$811,954$4,843
Fourth Quarter 200841$1,985,420$3,978,592$4,830
First Quarter 200921$490,230$451,730$1,560
Second Quarter 200920$429,076$447,804$3,545
Third Quarter 200925$519,855$562,206$2,250
Fourth Quarter 200927$874,076$880,721$500
First Quarter 201026$273,847$348,578$100
Second Quarter 201030$449,666$666,692$3,900
Third Quarter 201041$593,564$635,782$3,118
Fourth Quarter 201047$1,575,846$2,766,813$1,600
First Quarter 201130$228,264$400,226$2,100
Second Quarter 201129$475,807$399,194$270
Third Quarter 201148$757,556$738,202$1,950
Fourth Quarter 201164$3,502,429$3,757,950$3,551
First Quarter 201229$89,739$102,990$1,500
Second Quarter 201233$437,751$513,041$650

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 to adopt or defeat a local ballot measure, including but not limited to:

  1. Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
  2. Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
  3. Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
  4. Selecting or recommending vendors or subvendors of goods or services for the campaign.

OR

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:

  1. Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
  2. Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
  3. Seeking financing; or
  4. 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 who 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 second quarter of 2012 in the attached tables.  All amounts reported by campaign consultants have been rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

IV. Description of Quarterly Report Tables

Table 1:  Total Reported Activity (March 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012)

Table 1 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the second quarter of 2012.  Filers are listed in alphabetical order.  The total payments promised by clients and any political contributions or gifts to officeholders made by the filers are also reported.

ConsultantPayments Promised By ClientsPayments Received From ClientsPolitical Contributions
50+1 Strategies, LLC$32,500$26,500$0
Behrend, Alex$15,000$15,000$0
Bowman, Christopher L.$0$0$0
Bullfight Strategies$0$0$0
The California Group$10,000$6,000$0
Curley, Jordan$30,000$30,000$0
Durning, Santore & Davis, LLC$8,050$9,675$0
Eastshore Consulting LLC$10,000$0$0
Golinger, Jon$3,130$2,873$0
Ground Floor Public Affairs$12,500$12,500$0
Hope Road Consulting, LLC$0$0$0
Hsieh & Associates$0$0$0
Hsieh, Francisco$0$0$0
Integrated Fundraising Strategies$4,200$4,200$0
JPM&M, Inc.$0$0$0
Jim Ross Consulting$42,400$42,400$0
Kaufman Campaign Consultants$116,432$123,932$0
Left Coast Communications$25,930$17,028$0
Lester Connect$0$0$0
Leubitz, Brian$0$33,514$0
Lyons, Nichelle$0$0$0
Montejano, Jess$19,500$19,500$150
SCN Strategies, Inc.$0$61,847$0
SGR Consulting$0$30,000$0
Singer Associates$45,838$24,130$0
Social Stream Consulting$0$0$0
Stearns Consulting, Inc.$676$11,449$0
Storefront Political Media$43,679$24,577$500
Terris Barnes & Walters$0$0$0
Town Square Consulting$17,916$17,916$0
Whitehurst Campaigns, Inc.$0$0$0
Winning Directions$0$0$0
Workman, Dee Dee$0$0$0
TOTAL $437,751$513,041$650

Table 2:  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, and reimbursements for expenses, gifts or anything else of value. 

Table 2 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 second quarter of 2012 totaled $437,751.  The payments received by all filers from clients during the second quarter of 2012 totaled $513,041.

TABLE 2 PAYMENTS (Q2 2012)
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTCLIENTSERVICES PERFORMEDTOTAL PAYMENTS PROMISEDTOTAL PAYMENTS RECEIVED
50+1 StrategiesMatt Haney for School BoardCampaign management, strategy, communications$5,000$4,000
50+1 StrategiesEric MarCampaign management, strategy, communications$15,000$12,500
50+1 StrategiesDavid ChiuStrategy, campaign management, communications$12,500$10,000
Behrend, AlexPhil Ting for Assembly 2012Campaign fundraising staff$15,000$15,000
The California GroupLondon Breed for Supervisor 2012Fundraising services$10,000$6,000
Curley, JordanKeep San Francisco Green – No on ACampaign management for No on Prop A – including field activities, media, staff management and strategic advice.$30,000$30,000
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCAfrican American Democratic ClubSlate Mailer Organization consultation, design, printing and mailing coordination. General, PAC and SMO social media and treasury consultation.  
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCCommittee to Elect Gladys Soto for San Francisco School Board (including $875 previously promised, but not received)Campaign organization, strategy, website, social media and campaign finance.$3,000$1,875
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCCommittee to Re-Elect David Campos for SupervisorCampaign finance.$675$675
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCCommittee to Elect Leah Pimentel for DCCC 2012 (including $375 previously promised, but not received)Campaign organization, strategy, website, social media and campaign finance.$1,875$1,875
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCCommittee to Elect Hene Kelly for DCCC 2012Campaign organization, strategy, website, social media and campaign finance.$500$3,750
Durning, Santore & Davis LLCFriends of Thea Selby for D5 Supervisor 2012Campaign organization, strategy, website, social media and campaign finance  (April 1 – May 3, 2012).  Campaign finance (May 3 – 31, 2012).$2,000$1,500
Eastshore Consulting LLCSteve Ngo for College Board 2012Strategy$10,000$0
Golinger, JonYosemite Restoration CampaignDay-to-day management of campaign activities$3,130$2,873
Ground Floor Public AffairsFX CrowleyCampaign manager$12,500$12,500
Integrated Fundraising StrategiesCommittee to Re-Elect David Campos for SupervisorFundraising consulting and managing compliance$4,200$4,200
Jim Ross ConsultingSF Parks AllianceProduction of television commercial; media buying$42,400$42,400
Kaufman CampaignsKeep SF Green/No on Prop A (including $7,500 previously promised, but not received)Strategic campaign planning and implementation; production and creative design of campaign materials and placement of materials.$116,432$123,932
Left Coast CommunicationsNorman Yee for 2012 SupervisorGeneral consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management$12,861$8,028
Left Coast CommunicationsChristina Olague for Supervisor 2012Consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management$13,069$9,000
Leubitz, BrianKeep San Francisco GreenOutreach Director; management of internet presence and advertisement; reimbursement for campaign expenses – $5,013.74$0$33,514
Montejano, JessRodrigo SantosCampaign management and strategy$6,000$6,000
Montejano, JessMike Garcia for District 7 SupervisorCampaign management and strategy$13,500$13,500
SCN Strategies, Inc.Ed Lee for Mayor 2011 (terminated 11/30/2011; reporting payments previously promised, but not received)Campaign management$0$61,847
SGR ConsultingEd Lee for Mayor 2011Fundraising services$0$30,000
Singer AssociatesKeep San Francisco GreenPublic relations and corporate communication$45,838$24,130
Stearns ConsultingCommittee to Re-Elect David Campos for SupervisorCampaign consulting and media$676$3,860
Stearns ConsultingOne CA for All; Yee for CCampaign consulting and media$0$1,589
Stearns ConsultingYosemite Restoration Campaign; sponsored by Restore Hetch HetchyCampaign consulting and media$0$6,000
Storefront Political MediaPhil Ting for Assembly 2012Campaign consulting; media production, distribution, and placement$43,679$24,577
Town Square ConsultingRodrigo Santos for College BoardCampaign management and direct mail/media services$7,500$7,500
Town Square ConsultingMike Garcia for District 7 SupervisorCampaign management and direct mail/media services$7,500$7,500
Town Square ConsultingDavid Lee for District 1 SupervisorCampaign management and direct mail/media services$2,916$2,916
TOTAL  $437,751$513,041

Table 3:  Political Contributions

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.  Filers reported a total of $650 in political contributions during the second quarter of 2012.

CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS
 Committee  Name Consultant NameAmount
 Christopher Vasquez for DCCC Jess Montejano$150
 Phil Ting for Assembly 2012 Storefront Political Media (made by CEO Eric Jaye)$500
CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE MADE DURING SECOND QUARTER 2012$650

Vendor/Subvendor Payments

Each filer must report economic consideration promised to or received by the filer during the reporting period from vendors and sub-vendors who provide campaign-related goods or services to the filer’s current clients.

PAYMENTS PROMISED BY OR RECEIVED FROM VENDORS OR SUBVENDORS
ConsultantVendor/Sub-vendor NamePayments promisedPayments received
Ground Floor Public AffairsPacific Printing$9,295$9,295
Kaufman Campaign ConsultantsGreenstripe Media$4,600$0
Kaufman Campaign ConsultantsMailrite Print & Mail$7,228$0
Kaufman Campaign ConsultantsCBS Local & Music$3,750$0
 TOTAL  PROMISED BY OR RECEIVED DURING SECOND QUARTER 2012: $24,873$9,295

Gifts to Local Officeholders

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 filers 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 filers reported any employment of a local officeholder or City employee during this reporting period.

City Contracts Obtained 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 filers reported obtaining a City contract during the reporting period.

Appointment to Public Office

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 filers reported being appointed to public office by a client during the reporting period.

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