Today’s pre-election filing by the Sheriff’s Union (AOCDS) lists over $78,000 in expenditures on behalf of Lance MacLean. The independent PAC has purchased TV time, TV ad production, postal mailers, signs, and email blasts to oppose the recall. That amount doesn’t include expenses which will be incurred between January 17 and the February 2 election.
The Union has been using three professioal agencies in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and La Jolla to conduct the campaign: It paid Kennedy Communications $41,500, The Campaign Group $29,000, and Wachob and Associates $3,221, respectively. A Late Expenditure report showed another $4,550 for emails from an unidentifed vendor.
A large volume of professional telephone “surveys” has been conducted in MV for over a month, but doesn’t show up in the itemizations of any current campaign filing.
It appears the Union’s political intervention will be the largest ever in a Mission Viejo election by an outside organization. By comparison, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht was elected in 2008 after $15,800 was spent on her campaign.
Dale Tyler, who is a candidate in the current recall election, has spent $16,581. All of his financial support has come from himself or MV residents, without any contributions from special interests.
Another candidate, Dave Leckness, was enlisted by MacLean supporters as their backup in case MacLean was recalled. Leckness hasn’t supported the recall and hasn’t shown serious interest in the election; he has spent $5,487; of that amount, $2,000 came from another public employee union.
MacLean has spent $26,331, largely from a long list of other outside special interests. The most recent was $4,000 from the Orange County Apartment Owners Association. His also loaned money to his campaign, including an additional $4,000 today. Total expenditures on behalf of MacLean now exceed $100,000.
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It appears I’ve been wrong in my opinion of MacLean. I’ve always considered him nothing more than a cheap bully; it appears he’s a very expensive one.
Gosh – I wonder why the Sheriff’s Union likes Lance so much? Maybe they are worried about a contract renewal?
Please stop the bleeding and let’s get this guy recalled! He sure can spend the taxpayer’s dollars! He doesn’t seem to mind burning his bridges does he?! If he has any dignity left, he should go quietly; all of this hubbub just adds to his demise.