Campaign finance limits heading toward approval

Lempert floated the idea of limited campaign contributions at least twice before, but finally has enough support to get it passed. At a study session last night, Mayor Carole Groom and Councilman Jack Matthews agreed with her plan, but said they'd be willing to double the proposed limit of $250 for a contribution. The support means staff will draft an ordinance for review in November.

Lempert proposes a $250 limit on contributions made by individuals to council candidates' campaigns and a limit of $15,000 on the amount a candidate can loan to themselves. Cities such as San Diego, Fremont and Santa Clara have $250 limits. Both Groom and Matthews said they'd also support a $500 individual contribution limit.

Councilman John Lee adamantly opposed the proposal.

"It's not broken. If it's not broken, don't fix it," said Lee, who spent nearly $40,000 in his last election. "There is no corruption in our elections. There is no appearance of corruption."

In the last five elections, less than 10 percent of contributions exceeded $250 and the average campaign cost $14,000. The new rules wouldn't prevent a person from running a successful campaign, City Attorney Shawn Mason said.

However, for candidates who don't have the name recognition from years of public service, spending more money on direct mailings and advertisements is crucial, Lee said.

Lee spent 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and never spent longer than two years in any one place. He never had the opportunity to build a history of civil service with any one community. Lee was soundly defeated during his first campaign in 1997, but managed to win a seat during his 1998 campaign when he raised more than $30,000 after being appointed to a vacant seat.

Lempert said there hasn't been campaign corruption in San Mateo for at least 40 years, and the majority of council members agreed the new rules would prevent any future problems.

"It's a preventative regulation to set what the rules of the game should be," Matthews said.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.