Assembly District 5 candidates pocket big money from outside sources

Dr. Richard Pan

According to a spending update released yesterday by the Fair Political Practices Commission, the two leading candidates for Assembly District 5, which includes Granite Bay, have benefited from independent groups (that reside outside of the district) who have donated generously to their respective campaigns.

Andy Pugno

Dr. Richard Pan, Democrat, has received more than $567,000 in independent expenditures, mostly donated by SEIU, a public employee' union, and other unions. National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes gay marriage, has contributed $112,000 to broadcast television ads for Republican Andy Pugno who authored Proposition 8.

What does this mean? Campaign consultants and TV execs are getting richer.