Letter to the Editor: CA Democratic Party & State Legislators pump over $500,000 into AD59 race

Dear 2UrbanGirls,

Thank you for your recent article titled “CA Legislator relies heavily on party speaker to fund his 2020 campaign” you peaked my interest on how much the Democratic Party and members of the Assembly are pumping into the campaign of Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer for presumably co-authoring legislation to disenfranchise members of the Latino communities.

A review of his campaign finance records show his opponent Efren Martinez was a regular supporter of his. What happened? Were folks tired of Jones-Sawyer’s empty rhetoric that produced zero tangibles in Southeast Los Angeles?

In ONE month, between May 20 and June 22, the Democratic Party gave $187,548.27 while voting 70-2 towards the dissolution of the Central Basin Municipal Water District whose leadership is primarily Latino. Jones-Sawyer represents a handful of homes covered by this water company so what does he gain by co-authoring Senate Bill 625 to disenfranchise the votes of predominantly Latino communities? Ironically, SB 625 is being championed by Speaker Anthony Rendon who is behind the influx of money into Reggie’s campaign.

Between October 2018 and June 30, members of the Assembly pumped $338,305.64 into his campaign. Again you have to wonder if Jones-Sawyer works for his colleagues or his constituents. This is all public record and can be viewed here.

What I don’t understand is why Jones-Sawyer for Assembly 2018 had five transactions charged to his 2020 campaign for zero dollars. Make it make sense. I remember the Los Angeles Times writing about how Sen. Holly Mitchell transferred money from her state account to her supervisor’s race so it must be a normal practice to do so.

For a man who rests his laurels on the actions of his late uncle, who was a member of the Little Rock Nine, who fought for civil rights, Jefferson Thomas is most likely rolling around in his grave knowing his nephew is trying to trample the civil rights of Latino residents. According to Reggie this is how “America” works.

Not drinking the Kool-Aid in Assembly District 59

Residents protest privatization of water board at Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer’s home.