A complaint filed Thursday with the California Fair Political
Practices Commission alleges Watsonville Mayor Luis Alejo violated
campaign finance laws in his bid for the 28th Assembly.
By Donna Jones
A complaint filed Thursday with the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleges Watsonville Mayor Luis Alejo violated campaign finance laws in his bid for the 28th Assembly.
The complaint, filed by groups associated with Alejo’s rival, Salinas Councilwoman Janet Barnes, alleges coordination between the Alejo campaign and an independent expenditure committee that spent $30,764 on behalf of the mayor’s election bid.
“There’s supposed to be a bright line between independent expenditures and campaigns,” said Gary Davis, political director of the statewide advocacy group EdVoice and a member of Hollister-based Safe Neighborhoods and Better Schools Coalition, which formed to support Barnes. “What really stands out is the coordination between the Alejo campaign and the independent expenditure. It’s such a solid connection.”
According to Davis, the link between the two groups is Joaquin Ross, a political consultant working for the Alejo campaign. Ross also was the principal officer for Voters for California, the independent expenditure committee that paid for a political mailer in support of Alejo.
Neither Ross nor Alejo returned calls Thursday.
But in an e-mail Wednesday, after Voters for a New California reported the mailer expense, Alejo said he knew nothing about it.
“I have and will always exercise independent judgment and will continue to do what is in the best interest for our communities,” he wrote.
Ryan Rauzon, who heads Voters for a New California, said Ross severed his ties with the independent expenditure committee late last week when they decided to support Alejo.
“It’s outrageous and false,” Rauzon said of the allegation. He said Ross understood the law well enough to realize he had to resign after the committee decided to support Alejo.
Rauzon stepped up to take his place.
“We said we’re not going to not support a candidate just so we can keep you around,'” Rauzon said.
Rauzon said Voters for a New California was started by a group of politically active 30-somethings who come at issues from the perspective of young families. Education and stemming youth violence are important issues, and the group wants to help progressive Democrats of its own generation win office. Alejo, who is the only candidate Voters for a New California has supported to date, fits the profile, said Rauzon, adding he had interviewed Alejo prior to the endorsement.
The political practices commission has 14 days to decide if an investigation is warranted. Investigations can result in dismissal or fines, civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution.
