California gaming tribes rank near top of nation's political givers

November 24, 2009

California: Three of California's Indian gaming interests rank in a "Top 10" list of the country's special-interest donors. The list was released by the National Institute on Money in State Politics and the Center for Responsive Politics.

Tribes in the Top 10 list are:

• The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians. The Pechanga Band put $44 million into campaigns in 2008. This put the tribe at #2, behind only the National Education Association.
• The Morongo Band of Mission Indians. This tribe put $39 million into politics in 2008, making it #4 on the Top 10 list.
• The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians gave $22 million, putting it at #10.
• The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation was noted in the study as having given $7 million to campaigns in 2008, although it did not rank in the Top 10.

See also

* Campaign finance requirements for California ballot measures

• Gambling, California