In the 2010 Mayoral campaign, a then unknown dentist named Satish Hiremath funded a mayoral campaign at a level of about 5 times greater than his opponent, now Council Member Mike Zinkin. By the time the campaign was completed, Hiremath had accumulated $45,684. (Source: 2010 June 17 campaign report).
Since the 2010 election, Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath has continued to keep is PAC operating. He has raised $8,245 while in office.
Hiremath's PAC is an example of how some politicians keep their PAC's operating well past their election as a means of continuing to build there financial power for future elections or to repay their campaign debt.
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Candidate Loans and Family Money: $20,010 or 44%
Hiremath contributed $20,010, in personal and family money. This was 44% of funds raised as of the completion of the campaign.
The initial starting place for most campaigns are personal loans and family money. Hiremath loaned his campaign $18,000. This has not been repaid. Individuals contributing to his campaign who share his surname contributed $2,010.
Special Interests: $12,935 or 28%
Special interests are those who have a specific vested need to have those they support elected. In Hiremath's case, it is the developer, real estate and firefighter communities. Most of the individual special interest contributions and all of the special interest contributions were from outside of Oro Valley.
The most intriguing of the PAC contributions came from firefighters. None of those PACs who contributed serve Oro Valley. The IFFA, the Avondale Firefighters, Firefighters of AZ, United Pima Firefighters and Yuma Firefighers contributed to Hiremath's campaign. Some contributed to the campaigns of Hornat, Waters and Snider.
We used the term "intriguing" because Oro Valley is served by a fire tax district. Firefighters have no stake in the outcome of the Oro Valley election. We wonder: Were these funds contributed on the the urging of the OVPOA?
The Oro Valley Community: $11,437 or 25%
Residents (not family and not special interests) of Oro Valley contributed 25% of total funds raised by the conclusion of the campaign. By zip code:
- 85737 $6,271
- 85755 2,511
- 85742 820
- 85704 1,875
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Since the campaign, the Hiremath For Mayor Committee has raised $8,245. Over 80% of this from the group we have termed "special interest." For example, HSL Properties related individuals contributed $1,380 of this. During his tenure, Mayor Hiremath voted to approve, for construction, the HSL Apartments that are now being built next to the Basis School.
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The fundraising activities of the Hiremath For Mayor Committee is one example of how to raise funds for office. Only a quarter of the donations need come from the local community. The rest can come from family and from special interests if, indeed, you wish to become beholden to special interests.
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2 comments:
We received the following text massage from a reader:
"FYI. The firefighters do have a vested interest in elections. In OV, it's Council approval to commence a new area for annexation AND setting personnel, equipment, firehouse locations and response time standards."
The Golder Ranch District was involved in the mayor's election. Several fire fighters, all in their on-duty uniforms and with a fire truck, attended Hiremath's kickoff meeting at the Oro Valley Country Club. A captain spoke in support of Hiremath.
Should tax papers' money be used in this manner? Had the fire fighters interviewed Mr. Zinkin before giving their support to Hiremath? What promises were made by Hiremath for all the money contributed by the various fire fighters' associations throughout Arizona?
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