McClintock's not the only candidate who takes out-of-district money

Tom McClintock

Critics of Congressman Tom McClintock (R-Rocklin) are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to his habit of accepting campaign money from donors outside of his 4th congressional district.

The accusation is true, but it's not necessarily a news story because the practice is typical in politics. So much so, that writing about the practice is akin to writing about politicians kissing babies.

Political candidates take money from donors who aren't necessarily constituents for two reasons: The donors are friends or family members or they're corporate donors headquartered in another area, or state, but with business interests in the district (think McDonald's, VISA or Walmart).

For further proof, here's a look at other local politicians whose campaign war chests have benefited by folks outside of the district -- sometimes WAY out of the district.

Roger Niello

Roger Niello, candidate for California's 1st Senate District, which includes most of Placer County, has raised $692,000 from hundreds of donors. Of that amount, roughly $250,000 was raised outside of the 1st Senate District. Donors outside the district include $15,600 from relatives living in Alamo, a Bay Area community; $2,500 from Liberty Mutual, an insurance company headquartered in Boston but doing business throughout the country; and $3,900 from a Modesto Assemblyman.

Doug LaMalfa

Doug LaMalfa, a Butte County farmer and former Assemblyman, who is running for California's 4th Senate District (which includes Rocklin and Lincoln), has raised $465,980 since January. More than $140,000 came from outside his district including $3,900 from a Senator and former colleague in Orange County; $1,200 from PG & E, headquartered in San Francisco but a major utility provider and employer in the 4th Senate District; and $1,500 from an ag industry colleague from Modesto.

Clint Curtis, McClintock's Democrat challenger has raised nary a dime. It's hardly worth mentioning. But for the record at least half of the $13,460 he raised came from inside the district, including the $1,800 he loaned himself. More than $6,000 of his donations came from political action committees, including a workers union in Sacramento that may not be in the 4th Congressional District.