Benedict Y. Hur, Chairperson
John St. Croix, Executive Director
Report prepared by:
Catherine Argumedo
Date Issued: February 25, 2013
CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FILINGS FOURTH 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 fourth quarter activity reports were due on December 17, 2012 and covered the filing period beginning September 1, 2012 and ending November 30, 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 below 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.
| Quarter | Number of Consultants | Total Payments Promised | Total Payments Received | Total Contributions Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter 2007 | 19 | $1,262,553 | $1,324,139 | $35,875 |
| First Quarter 2008 | 21 | $622,255 | $830,920 | $92,950 |
| Second Quarter 2008 | 27 | $718,486 | $1,011,559 | $3,750 |
| Third Quarter 2008 | 40 | $862,640 | $811,954 | $4,843 |
| Fourth Quarter 2008 | 41 | $1,985,420 | $3,978,592 | $4,830 |
| First Quarter 2009 | 21 | $490,230 | $451,730 | $1,560 |
| Second Quarter 2009 | 20 | $429,076 | $447,804 | $3,545 |
| Third Quarter 2009 | 25 | $519,855 | $562,206 | $2,250 |
| Fourth Quarter 2009 | 27 | $874,076 | $880,721 | $500 |
| First Quarter 2010 | 26 | $273,847 | $348,578 | $100 |
| Second Quarter 2010 | 30 | $449,666 | $666,692 | $3,900 |
| Third Quarter 2010 | 41 | $593,564 | $635,782 | $3,118 |
| Fourth Quarter 2010 | 47 | $1,575,846 | $2,766,813 | $1,600 |
| First Quarter 2011 | 30 | $228,264 | $400,226 | $2,100 |
| Second Quarter 2011 | 29 | $475,807 | $399,194 | $270 |
| Third Quarter 2011 | 48 | $757,556 | $738,202 | $1,950 |
| Fourth Quarter 2011 | 64 | $3,502,429 | $3,757,950 | $3,551 |
| First Quarter 2012 | 29 | $89,739 | $102,990 | $1,500 |
| Second Quarter 2012 | 33 | $437,751 | $513,041 | $650 |
| Third Quarter 2012 | 37 | $401,754 | $401,239 | $200 |
| Fourth Quarter 2012 | 39 | $1,759,850 | $1,620,836 | $5,085 |
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:
- Hiring or authorizing the hiring of campaign staff and consultants; or
- Spending or authorizing the expenditure of campaign funds; or
- Directing, supervising or conducting the solicitation of campaign contributions; or
- 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:
- Producing or authorizing the production of campaign literature and print and broadcast advertising; or
- Seeking endorsements of organizations or individuals; or
- Seeking financing; or
- 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 fourth 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 (September 1, 2012 – November 30, 2012)
Table 1 summarizes all reported activity by campaign consultants for the fourth 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.
| Consultant | Payments Promised By Clients | Payments Received From Clients | Political Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50+1 Strategies, LLC | $122,480 | $143,345 | $435 |
| Bowman, Christopher L. | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Bullfight Strategies | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| The California Group | $9,000 | $7,000 | $0 |
| Clegg, Whitney | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Curley, Jordan | $30,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Dilger, Rosemary | $14,050 | $12,650 | $250 |
| Durning, Santore & Davis, LLC | $3,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Eastshore Consulting LLC | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 |
| Erwin & Muir | $114,216 | $114,216 | $0 |
| Gavin, John | $34,788 | $26,788 | $0 |
| Goldkuhle, Thomas | $8,800 | $8,800 | $0 |
| Golinger, Jon | $16,250 | $17,454 | $300 |
| Ground Floor Public Affairs | $60,000 | $60,000 | $0 |
| Hope Road Consulting, LLC | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hsieh & Associates | $17,500 | $11,500 | $0 |
| Hsieh, Francisco | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Integrated Fundraising Strategies | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JPM&M, Inc. | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Jim Ross Consulting | $130,196 | $130,196 | $0 |
| Left Coast Communications | $295,188 | $231,684 | $0 |
| Lei, Helen | $3,708 | $3,708 | $0 |
| Lester Connect | $6,200 | $6,200 | $0 |
| Leubitz, Brian | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Li, Thomas | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Lyons, Nichelle | $1,002 | $1,002 | $0 |
| Montejano, Jess | $11,250 | $11,250 | $0 |
| RMS Associates | $14,401 | $14,401 | $0 |
| SCN Strategies, Inc. | $285,790 | $280,790 | $0 |
| SGR Consulting | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Shorter, Andrea | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 |
| Singer Associates | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Stearns Consulting, Inc. | $381,790 | $381,790 | $0 |
| Storefront Political Media | $82,779 | $82,779 | $600 |
| Terris Barnes & Walters | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Town Square Consulting | $25,165 | $25,165 | $0 |
| Whitehurst Mosher Campaign Strategy & Media | $82,297 | $40,117 | $3,500 |
| Winning Directions | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Workman, Dee Dee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TOTAL | $1,759,850 | $1,620,836 | $5,085 |
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 fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $1,759,850. The payments received by all filers from clients during the fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $1,620,836.
| TABLE 2 (Q4 2012) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT | CLIENT | SERVICES PERFORMED | TOTAL PAYMENTS PROMISED | TOTAL PAYMENTS RECEIVED |
| 50+1 Strategies | Re-Elect Supervisor David Chiu 2012 | Campaign management services, campaign strategy services, communications services, treasury services | $36,658 | $44,717 |
| 50+1 Strategies | Re-Elect Supervisor Eric Mar 2012 | Campaign management services, campaign strategy services, communications services, treasury services | $46,417 | $55,340 |
| 50+1 Strategies | Matt Haney for School Board 2012 | Campaign management services, campaign strategy services, communications services, treasury services | $9,404 | $11,126 |
| 50+1 Strategies | San Franciscans for Fair Taxes and Better City Services | Field management services | $30,000 | $32,162 |
| The California Group | London Breed for Supervisor 2012 | Fundraising services | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| The California Group | Friends and Neighbors in Support of Mike Garcia | Campaign services | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Curley, Jordan | Keep San Francisco Green – No on A | Development and execution of strategic outreach plan to oppose Proposition A | $30,000 | $0 |
| Dilger, Rosemary | David Campos | Fundraising and campaign services | $14,050 | $12,650 |
| Durning, Santore & Davis LLC | Committee to Elect Gladys Soto for Board of Education 2012 | Campaign organization, strategy, website, social media and campaign finance | $3,000 | $0 |
| Eastshore Consulting LLC | Steve Ngo for College Board 2012 (including payment previously promised and reported, but not received) | Strategy | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Erwin & Muir | London Breed for Supervisor 2012 | Campaign strategy, management, production of printed materials | $35,260 | $35,260 |
| Erwin & Muir | Yes on B – San Franciscans for Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks | Campaign strategy & management; production of printed materials; media | $71,002 | $71,002 |
| Erwin & Muir | Rachel Norton for School Board | Production of direct mail | $2,454 | $2,454 |
| Erwin & Muir | Joel Engardio for D7 Supervisor 2012 | Production of printed materials | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Gavin, John | Save Hetch Hetchy (formerly Citizens for Reliable Water and A Healthy Environment) | Campaign management | $34,788 | $26,788 |
| Goldkuhle, Thomas | Joe Butler | Primary consultant on campaign; advised on direct mail efforts, debate prep | $8,800 | $8,800 |
| Golinger, Jon | No Wall on the Northeast Waterfront | Day-to-day management of campaign | $16,250 | $17,454 |
| Ground Floor Public Affairs | FX Crowley | Campaign management | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Ground Floor Public Affairs | San Franciscans for Fair Taxes and Better City Services, Yes on E | Campaign management | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Hsieh & Associates | Dr. Natalie Berg for Community College 2012 | Political advice regarding endorsements and overall strategy | $8,500 | $2,500 |
| Hsieh & Associates | No on F, Save Hetch Hetchy | Asian American outreach and public relation advice | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Jim Ross Consulting | David Lee for Supervisor 2012 | Political consulting and production of materials | $130,196 | $130,196 |
| Left Coast Communications | Norman Yee for 2012 Supervisor | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $64,259 | $41,818 |
| Left Coast Communications | Christina Olague for Supervisor 2012 | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $82,350 | $80,633 |
| Left Coast Communications | Progress for All | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $0 | $34,000 |
| Left Coast Communications | Sandra Lee Fewer for Board of Education 2012 | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $12,718 | $4,500 |
| Left Coast Communications | Mayor Ed Lee for San Francisco Committee | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $88,128 | $23,000 |
| Left Coast Communications | Coalition for Sustainable Housing, A Committee in Support of Proposition C | General consulting services, volunteer coordination, campaign management, press work, data management | $47,733 | $47,733 |
| Lei, Helen | 2012 Sam for School Board | Performed outreach and communications to the Asian American community of San Francisco to help get out the vote for SF School Board | $3,708 | $3,708 |
| Lester Connect | Christina Olague for Supervisor 2012 | Direct mail, online ads, doorhangers, phone calls | $6,200 | $6,200 |
| Lyons, Nichelle | Dr. Natalie Berg | Fundraising – 2012 College Board campaign | $1,002 | $1,002 |
| Montejano, Jess | Mike Garcia | Campaign management and strategy | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| RMS Associates | San Francisco Women for Accountability and A Responsible Supervisor Opposing Christina Olague, 2012 | General campaign strategy & media | $14,401 | $14,401 |
| SCN Strategies | San Franciscans for Fair Taxes and Better City Services, Yes on E | Consulting, strategy & reimbursement for mail campaign | $74,117 | $74,117 |
| SCN Strategies | Save Hetch Hetchy (formerly known as Citizens for Reliable Water and A Healthy Environment) | Consulting, strategy & reimbursement for mail campaign | $211,674 | $206,674 |
| Shorter, Andrea | San Francisco Women for Accountability and A Responsible Supervisor Opposing Christina Olague, 2012 | Campaign management | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Stearns Consulting | Committee to Re-Elect David Campos Supervisor 2012 | Campaign consulting and media | $25,716 | $25,716 |
| Stearns Consulting | Rafael Mandelman for Community College District Board | Campaign consulting and media | $16,545 | $16,545 |
| Stearns Consulting | Yosemite Restoration Campaign | Campaign consulting and media | $91,732 | $91,732 |
| Stearns Consulting | SF Labor Council | Campaign media and consulting | $247,797 | $247,797 |
| Storefront Political Media | Phil Ting for Assembly 2012 | Campaign consulting; media production, distribution, and placement | $82,779 | $82,779 |
| Town Square Consulting | Rodrigo Santos for City College | Campaign strategy and direct mail services | $10,350 | $10,350 |
| Town Square Consulting | Mike Garcia for District 7 Supervisor 2012 | Campaign management, strategy and direct mail services | $12,815 | $12,815 |
| Town Square Consulting | Beverly Ho-A-Yun Popek for SFUSD School Board 2012 | Campaign management | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Whitehurst Mosher Campaign Strategy & Media | Committee to Protect City College | Strategic consulting including overseeing research and polling, message development; media consulting and production of all campaign media and materials | $0 | $40,117 |
| Whitehurst Mosher Campaign Strategy & Media | San Franciscans for Fair Taxes and Better City Services, Yes on E | Strategic consulting including overseeing research and polling, message development; media consulting and production of all campaign media and materials | $82,297 | $0 |
| TOTAL | $1,759,850 | $1,620,836 | ||
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 $5,085 in political contributions during the fourth quarter of 2012.
| CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Committee Name | Consultant Name | Amount |
| John Rizzo for D5 Supervisor | Jon Golinger | $300 |
| Re-Elect David Campos for Supervisor 2012 | John Whitehurst | $500 |
| Re-Elect David Campos for Supervisor 2012 | Mark Mosher | $500 |
| Christina Olague for Supervisor 2012 | John Whitehurst | $500 |
| Norman Yee for Superivsor 2012 | John Whitehurst | $500 |
| Dr. Natalie Berg for Community College Board 2012 | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| Rafael Mandelman for San Francisco Community College District Board 2012 | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| Jill Wynns for School Board 2012 | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| Sandra Fewer for Board of Education 2012 | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| Re-Elect Rachel Norton for Board of Education 2012 | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| 2012 Sam for SF School Board | John Whitehurst | $250 |
| Phil Ting for Assembly 2012 | Storefront Political Media | $250 |
| London Breed for Supervisor 2012 | Storefront Political Media | $250 |
| Rafael Mandelman for San Francisco Community College District Board 2012 | Storefront Political Media | $100 |
| Re-Elect Supervisor Eric Mar 2012 | 50+1 Strategies LLC | $260 |
| Avalos 2012 | 50+1 Strategies LLC | $150 |
| Amy Bacharach for College Board | Rosemary Dilger | $150 |
| Matt Haney for School Board | Rosemary Dilger | $100 |
| CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE MADE DURING FOURTH QUARTER 2012 | $5,060 | |
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. No filers reported vendor or sub-vendor payments during this reporting period.
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.