The latest campaign finance reports show 14 PACs making direct donations to candidates, and a second independent expenditure committee jumping into the campaign.
Independent Expenditures
Reports for the latest reporting period show the Santa Clara Police Association PAC making its first independent expenditures of the campaign on Oct. 19: $25,000 in mailers and digital ads supporting four candidates: David Kertes, Kathy Watanabe, Yvonne Inciarte and Kyle Madej. This is the first report the PAC has submitted since July.
The expenditures were paid for in part by contributions from Gary Filizetti, president of Devcon Construction ($10,000), Laurence McColloch ($1,500), a past city council candidate. The remainder of the money came from member dues.
The 49ers’ two Affordable Santa Clara PACs’ spending juggernaut grew to $1.7 million, with the lion’s share of the spending going to TV and internet ads. They have spent no money on ads opposing Kertes. The 49ers have poured $2.8 million into the two PACs.
Direct PAC Donations to Candidates
Madej received the largest amount of money from PACs ($4,940), while he and Watanabe tied for the largest number of PAC donations, seven. Karen Hardy, Kevin Park, Mike Wiltberger and Eric Crutchlow reported no PAC contributions. The 49ers committees made no direct contributions to candidates.
- AFSCME Local 101 PAC ($1,520): Gary Ferraris $760, Madej $760
- AFSCME Council 57 PAC ($1,520): Ferraris $760, Madej $760
- American4Hindus-CA-All Purpose ($380): Watanabe $380
- BAYMEC ($750): Kertes $750
- Build Jobs PAC ($300): Watanabe $300
- California Apartment Association PAC ($380): Watanabe $380
- California Real Estate PAC, CREPAC ($1,140): Williams $760, Watanabe $380
- IBEW Local 332 ($350): Inciarte $350
- Santa Clara Firefighters Local 1171 PAC ($1,520): Kyle Madej $760, Yvonne Inciarte $380, Kimberley Williams $380
- Santa Clara Police Association PAC ($2,280): David Kertes $760, Kyle Madej $760, Yvonne Inciarte $380, Kathy Watanabe $380
- Peace Officers Research Association of California, PORAC ($2,280): Kertes $760, Madej $760, Inciarte $380, Watanabe $380
- Plumbers Local 393 Political Action Fund ($1,140): Inciarte $380, Madej $380, Watanabe $380
- Santa Clara County Association of Realtors ($760): Madej $760
- Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council PAC ($760): Ferraris $760
The largest donors to the California Apartment Association include Essex Property Trust, Inc. ($3,311,000), and Prometheus ($654,000).
Data as of 10/29/26.
Related Post:
Follow the Money 2026: 49ers Independent Expenditures Lead Spending in City Election
Let’s be clear – these direct PAC donations are minimal compared with the enormous sums being spent elsewhere in this election. The two 49ers-affiliated Affordable Santa Clara PACs have reportedly spent millions, while other PACs are spending thousands more on mailers and digital advertising. Having run twice for the SCUSD Board under Santa Clara County election regulations, I was genuinely surprised by the additional restrictions and obstacles placed on candidates running for City Council (which I only discovered while helping Kyle Madej run for City Council). It raises a legitimate question: Why should city candidates face additional hurdles when outside PACs can spend enormous amounts independently to influence the very same elections?
I believe it’s time for Santa Clara to revisit its outdated campaign finance rules, including whether local campaign contribution limits and arbitrary donation deadlines should be removed. Instead of restricting what individuals and local supporters can contribute directly to candidates while independent PACs spend millions, we should allow more direct local contributions while strengthening transparency and timely disclosure requirements. Voters deserve to know who is funding campaigns and who is spending money to influence their elections. It’s time to modernize Santa Clara’s election policies to reflect today’s political reality.
How is removing campaign contribution limits a step forward rather than a step backward? Are you suggesting that individuals and businesses should be allowed to contribute unlimited amounts directly to political candidates?
The real problem is the enormous amount of money flowing into elections through PACs and Super PACs. Rather than eliminating contribution limits, shouldn’t we be looking at ways to address the influence of these outside groups and the millions of dollars they spend attempting to influence our local elections?
I think there’s a difference between allowing candidates to raise enough money to get their message out and allowing unlimited contributions. I’m not suggesting a free-for-all when it comes to campaign donations. I wrote, “I believe it’s time for Santa Clara to REVISIT its outdated campaign finance rules, including whether local campaign contribution limits and arbitrary donation deadlines should be removed. Instead of restricting what individuals and local supporters can contribute directly to candidates while independent PACs spend millions, we should allow more direct local contributions while strengthening transparency and timely disclosure requirements.”
I agree that PACs and Super PACs are a major part of the problem. We need more transparency and accountability around outside spending, especially in local elections. The goal should be to give candidates a fair opportunity to compete without allowing outside money to drown out the voices and dollars of local voters, which is what is happening right now. The current Santa Clara rules, which we can influence, should be evaluated.
PACs can spend as much as they want in independent expenditure campaigns because of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Until that’s overturned or otherwise neutered, campaign finance rules at the state and local level have limited impact.
Yes, and the local campaign finance rules that hinder candidates from raising money should be evaluated and possibly changed.
Well, we had the 49er five on the council, now we might have the PAC-MAN gang (apologies to Atari)