Winning Connections, a D.C. consulting group “helps Democrats win the toughest races,” according to their website, and they have “recently worked to elect President Obama and Senators Franken and Tester.” With deep pocket clients like the DCCC, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the AFL-CIO the $200 they tossed Tucson Unified School District Board president Adelita Grijalva in April is a pittance.
However, the D.C. money that showed up on Grijalva’s campaign finance reports in April is not something to ignore. It total, Grijalva raised $3300 in campaign donations from D.C. operators in April, and other $2000 from her dad’s D.C. PAC over the past few months.
It is difficult to imagine that many other school board races in the country are fought with Beltway bucks.
Her dad, Congressman Raul Grijalva funneled $1000 in June 2014, and again in September 2014 through his Livable Communities PAC to secure the TUSD seat to which Adelita was heir. It was that seat from which he launched his political career years before.
From that seat, Adelita has continued the tradition of doling out jobs and funds to family members and cronies.
Related article:
Grijalva sign thief caught on video, others go unseen
So, who in D.C. wrote a check to keep the district in check? Mostly the who’s who of Congressman Grijalva’s staffers. His largesse was not only enjoyed by his daughter, Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board member Eva Dong scored $600 from the D.C. group.
What doesn’t appear on Adelita’s campaign finance reports are in-kind donations from her father for the use of his campaign for various services it provided.
Stuart Jameson $200
Winning Connections
Stuart got his start in politics in his home state of Mississippi, where he worked for the future governor, Ray Mabus. Stuart joined Winning Connections in the 2004. Prior to returning to politics, Stuart, who received an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, managed major car dealerships in the Pittsburgh area. He has a BA in Finance from the University of Mississippi.At Winning Connections, Stuart has worked on behalf of clients in hotly contested elections, including Senators Jon Tester and Al Franken. He as represented SEIU and Mi Familia Vota
Marc Gonzales 4/28 $250
Vice President, Congressional Affairs at USTelecom Association
Glenn Miller 4/28 $250
Senior Advisor to U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva
Chris Kaumo 4/48 $200
Senior Advisor to U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03)
Amy Emerick Clerkin 4/28 $500
Chief of Staff in the Office of U.S. Congressman Raul M. Grijalva
Washington D.C. Metro Area Government Administration
Tracy Tucker 4/28 $500
Vice President at Bracy Tucker Brown & Valanzano
Washington D.C. Metro Area Government Relations
Prior to joining the firm, Tracy spent several years in community-based organizing that has served as a foundation for her to advocate on behalf of her clients with the federal government. Her experience working for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives broadened her background in issue development and the legislative process. Bracy Tucker Brown & Valanzano is a strategic consulting firm that specializes in helping public, non-profit and corporate clients develop and implement strategies that increase their effectiveness in the Federal policy process.
Susan Santana 4/28 $250
Washington D.C. Metro Area Government Relations ATT
Charlie Rocha 4/28 $100
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Sallie Mae
Frank Oliverria 4/28 $100
Census HSDD12
Cenus Bureau
Patrick J. Mitchell 4/28 $1000
(Former Arizonan)
Strategic Impact, Inc.
Utilizing experience and relationships we have built over a lifetime, we chart a course of action for our clients designed to yield successful results with Congress and the Executive Branch. As a full service firm, we also provide coverage of all Washington activities including congressional hearings, political events, press developments and federal agency activities.
Other notables include:
TEA Teachers’ union
Linda Polito Lobbyist
Jose Miranda Raul Grijalva Campaign Manager
Dino DiConcini
Ivan Kasser Holualoa Co.
Laura Dent City of Tucson Regina Romero Chief of Staff
Daniel Eckstrom Retired
Richard Fimbres City of Tucson
Janet Lesher Deputy County Administrator
Janet Kay Lesher Deputy County Administrator