Big, anonymous money is flooding the Palm Springs area, and it benefits the local GOP incumbent, Mary Bono. The money's source is still a secret, and
illegally so, but its purpose is clear: to knock off progressive Democratic challenger
David Roth in the June 6th California Primary. Marty Schwimmer filed at the last minute as a Democrat, ignores the grassroots Democratic clubs, and communicates with voters solely through direct mail. Very expensive direct mail.
Is the GOP dirty tricks machine behind it? Well, we don't know for sure because he hasn't filed ANY financial disclosure with the FEC. Whoever is behind it, the Democrats of the 45th district will make this backfire, just as the HRC's absurd endorsement of Mary (Christian Coalition score 84%)* Bono already has (Hat tip: Firedoglake ). This is getting serious, and we need netroots help.
Rubberstamp Republican Mary Bono sure has a friend in DINO-come-lately, Marty Schwimmer, who failed to file the mandatory pre-primary Federal Election Commission report on May 25th. He has not filed any 48 hour disclosure reports either, which are required after May 18th. So there's no way of knowing what kind of ad blitz is coming, nor where the cash for his previous flashy ads came from. Big money, no disclosure. How very Republican of him.
Not only this, but as I mentioned in my previous Roth diary, this is a very strange "Democratic" campaign. None of the local Democrats have yet to see this guy. His campaign manager is a Republican. He showed up at the last possible minute, just when the local media was starting to notice that the Democrats were turning out in droves for this bright young challenger, David Roth.
"Roth rival said to be 'plant' in primaries
April 2, 2006 * 1018 words * ID: plm2006040522369992
By Cindy Uken of the Desert Sun
Two Democrats have their sights set on seizing the 45th Congressional District seat now held by Republican Rep. Mary Bono.. David M. Roth, 36, of La Quinta has made no secret of his desire to unseat Bono, who has held the seat since 1998. As a challenger, Roth has been raising money - as well as his public profile.. The other Democrat has been flying under the radar, which is unusual for a political candidate. His name is Marty Schwimmer; he works at the Riverside County .....
What kind of challenger "flys under the radar?"
Here's Schwimmer's statement of candidacy, conveniently filed six weeks prior to the primary, and not a moment sooner.
Here's the statement of organization for his campaign.
That's it, folks. No other documents pertaining to this "Democratic" candidate to be found with the FEC. But Democrats have certainly noticed the expensive ads that suddenly flooded the district. Where did the money come from? Damn it, we have laws about campaign money!
In an email to supporters sent last night, David Roth wrote:
It now is clear that an attempt to steal this election is underway by Mr. Schwimmer and his backers. Another one of his mailers hit homes on Saturday, which must put his total expenditures near $100,000 -- more than any other local incumbent or candidate (including me, Mary Bono, Denise Ducheny, Ron Oden, Steve Clute and Bonnie Garcia) have spent all year. All without ANY of the legally required Federal financial disclosures (www.fec.gov). Not only did he fail to file the mandatory pre-primary Federal Election Commission report on May 25th, but he has not filed any 48 hour disclosure reports either (required after May 18th).
We are all now quite concerned that something very dangerous is happening, and it is clear that we must bring this to the attention of voters around this District ASAP. The FEC will receive a number of formal complaints Tuesday morning, so they should start the Federal investigative ball rolling then...but that does nothing to negate the effect on voters of $100,000 of advertising..
The Schwimmer money has been flowing for weeks, the 48 hour rule has been in effect since May 19th -and no financial disclosure.
You have to wonder, is this one of Rove's midterm projects? It definitely does not smell good. If anyone has information on this Marty Schwimmer and his financial sources, please let me know in the comments. By the time the FEC gets to the bottom of it, the big money may have already done its job, and preempted a very real threat to our Rubberstamp Republican. The June primary is now just seven days away.
Donate to David Roth! Write to the Desert Sun and the Press Enterprise!
I just gave a stack of phonebank lists to our recently arrived volunteer from 21st Century Democrats, Ben Brenneman. (We love you, Ben!) I have dozens more volunteers to equip with lists today, as my patriotic duty on Memorial Day. Democrats out here in the desert haven't been this pumped in decades, and David already has the support of Barbara Boxer, Loretta Sanchez, and a slew of terrific Democrats, both elected and private. But as Ohio and Florida taught us, a majority of voters can still be swindled. Please help us spread the word about my favorite progressive Democrat, David Roth! If the GOP is this desperate to avoid dealing with him in November, you just know he's a Democrat to love.
A very good Memorial Day to all.
*Note: Updated to correct Bono's Christian Coalition score and to provide link: http://www.cc.org/votermain.cfm
Turns out she had a score of 84, not 85.
