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Local News

Judge Lifts Political Contribution Cap

Border Patrol, agent, father, sentenced, Manzano

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By Candice Nguyen

In a 32-page decision, a federal judge has declared it unconstitutional for the city of San Diego to cap political party donations to candidates at $1,000.

After years of battling the city, lead plaintiff and former Republican candidate Phil Thalheimer feels vindicated.

"It's a big win. It's a big win personally and for all the candidates, " he said.

"We voluntarily choose to be part of either Republican or Democrat or Independent, and if that party tries to help us as a candidate, why shouldn't they be able to?" says Thalheimer.

Evan Mclaughlin is with the San Diego Labor Council. He's against the ruling.

He says, "This is just going to mean more corporate money in the local elections. Grassroot candidates that want to organize, that want to reach out to the community, that want to represent working people, they don't have the deep pockets that corporations have."

Either way, the ruling comes just months before San Diego's mayoral election. Political analyst John Dadian says it probably won't affect the primary elections.

He says, "We have three major Republicans running and because it's contested Republicans in a race, the Republican Party needs a certain amount more than a normal majority to endorse [one candidate]."

Dadian says that's why the party may not endorse a candidate in the primary election. However, when it comes to the general election and a Republican candidates ends up facing off with a Democrat candidate, Dadian says, the ruling will likely make a huge difference.
 

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