Major GOP Donors Continue to Fund Schwarzenegger's "Bipartisan" Redistricting Initiative

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The so-called "bipartisan" effort to change the way California's legislative districts are drawn is being almost entirely funded by major Republican donors and backers of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to new reports filed with the Secretary of State.

As noted here last week, the biggest backer so far is the New Majority PAC, which kicked in $150,000. On its website, the PAC says its "continued priorities include increasing Republican voter registration in targeted communities, identifying quality Republican candidates with an emphasis on bringing diversity into the Republican Party and supporting legislative Republican leadership in targeted races." The Governor's campaign committee also has kicked in $50,000.

Those Republican interests received additional backing last week, when another major donor, David Horowitz of the Horowitz Group in Laguna Niguel, added his support with a $5,000 check. Horowitz has given more than $100,000 to Schwarzenegger's campaign efforts since 2006 and more than $30,000 to the New Majority PAC. Horowitz has also given thousands to right-wing Republicans including State Sen. Tom McClintock, Assemblymember Chuck DeVore, and Assemblywoman Mimi Walters.

Another major donor, James Hunter of Baron Real Estate in Manhatten Beach, also has written a fat check to the initiative. His company donated $100,000 to the "Stop the Reiner Initiative" in 2006.

It makes you wonder: how can any Democrat -- particularly those interested in higher office -- sign on to an initiative being bankrolled almost entirely by fatcat GOP donors interested in adding to the ranks of right-wingers in Sacramento? Let's hope the CDP weighs in heavily against this initiative.