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Chevron spends $3 million in attempt to sway Richmond voters
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Chevron-spends-3-million-in-attempt-to-sway-5863605.phpChevron has spent $72 per registered voter in Richmond to push its slate of candidates for City Council and mayor in Tuesday’s election — more than a minimum wage worker brings home after a full day’s work in this blue-collar city.
The oil giant’s $3 million in political contributions are also funding a powerful opposition campaign against candidates it sees as critics, one of whom is Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles. She has raised campaign funds that amount to about 85 cents per each of the 41,894 registered voters.
The multinational corporation’s political involvement has created a David-versus-Goliath effect with Chevron-backed candidates starring in television ads, glossy mailers and stunning advertising billboards that tower above the city streets, while the non-Chevron candidates squeak by on small donations from residents and door-to-door canvassing by volunteers....
“Chevron controlled the City Council until about six years ago (when the council shifted left), and I’m sure they’d very much like to be in that position again,” Butt said. “If they can spend $3 million and save $30 million, that’s a pretty good deal for them.”
The oil giant’s $3 million in political contributions are also funding a powerful opposition campaign against candidates it sees as critics, one of whom is Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles. She has raised campaign funds that amount to about 85 cents per each of the 41,894 registered voters.
The multinational corporation’s political involvement has created a David-versus-Goliath effect with Chevron-backed candidates starring in television ads, glossy mailers and stunning advertising billboards that tower above the city streets, while the non-Chevron candidates squeak by on small donations from residents and door-to-door canvassing by volunteers....
“Chevron controlled the City Council until about six years ago (when the council shifted left), and I’m sure they’d very much like to be in that position again,” Butt said. “If they can spend $3 million and save $30 million, that’s a pretty good deal for them.”
Indeed.
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It was as much of a bloodbath for Chevron in Richmond as it was for us everywhere else!
Oddly, the only article I can find is in Chevron's house organ, the Richmond Standard (get it? Chevron used to be Standard Oil of California. 
)
http://richmondstandard.com/2014/11/progressive-capture-richmond-city-council-mayoral-seat/
The Richmond Progressive Alliance had much to cheer about Tuesday night after its members and supporters captured both Richmond City Council and the mayoral seat.
Councilmember Tom Butt, who is not an RPA member but formed an alliance with the progressive group, defeated Nat Bates for mayor. (unofficial final results below)
RPA members Eduardo Martinez, current Vice Mayor Jovanka Beckles and Mayor Gayle McLaughlin (termed out as mayor) won all three four-year council seats.
Councilmember Jael Myrick, who like Butt is not an RPA member but received support from the group, defeated fellow Councilmember Corky Booze to win the two-year seat.
Councilmember Tom Butt, who is not an RPA member but formed an alliance with the progressive group, defeated Nat Bates for mayor. (unofficial final results below)
RPA members Eduardo Martinez, current Vice Mayor Jovanka Beckles and Mayor Gayle McLaughlin (termed out as mayor) won all three four-year council seats.
Councilmember Jael Myrick, who like Butt is not an RPA member but received support from the group, defeated fellow Councilmember Corky Booze to win the two-year seat.
Don't you love the way they use "the progressives" the way we would use "the teabaggers"?
