San Jose City Councilman and mayoral candidate Chuck Reed Monday called on
opponent Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez to refuse $55,000 in campaign donations
from Indian gambling interests. Flanked by former Mayor Tom McEnery and
Deputy District Attorney David Pandori, Reed said he was “sounding the alarm
to warn of a threat to San Jose’s quality of life. Gambling money is being
used in San Jose politics.” Chavez said she had no knowledge of the money.
The money was raised by the local Democratic Party. Reed was referring to
the Oct. 5 filing by the Santa Clara County United Democratic Campaign which
listed a $30,000 donation from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay nation, dated
Sept. 30, and a $25,000 donation from the California Nations Indian Gaming
Association Sovereignty Protection Fund dated Sept. 29. Reed demanded to
know who solicited the money, why and what promises were made to the donors.
He said that the donations could be the first step toward locating a casino
or other gambling operation in Santa Clara County. Democratic Party Chairman
Steve Preminger says the money was not solicited. It was volunteered by the
Indian gaming groups to be used to support State Treasurer Phil Angelides,
the Democratic Candidate for governor. “None of that money will be used in
the Chavez campaign,” he said.

But Preminger could not say how the money would be segregated.

The party does not show any funds spent on the Angelides campaign since the
Indian gaming funds were received. Earlier, on Aug. 4, the party spent $600
on materials for signs supporting Angelides, who is running against
incumbent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Asked if she was concerned about the use of Indian gambling money on her
behalf, she said, “I have nothing to do with this.”