Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has opened his pocketbook once again for former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s congressional bid, this time contributing $1.5 million to a political action committee supporting his candidacy.
In February, Bloomberg made an initial $500,000 donation to Neighbors for Results, a Super PAC that’s backing Liccardo in his bid for California’s 16th Congressional District seat. On Aug. 30, the billionaire philanthropist raised his second contribution to seven figures, bringing the total to $2 million, according to recent filings with Federal Election Commission.
Liccardo faces state Assemblymember Evan Low in the November election in what has become a contentious race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo. The former mayor currently leads in fundraising, having raked in $2.6 million, compared to Low’s $1.7 million, according to fundraising totals through March 31.
“Mike Bloomberg was for Sam Liccardo long before he knew Sam was beating Evan Low by 14 points because they are both problem-solving mayors with strong records of reducing homelessness and crime in their cities, something that’s all too rare at any level of government today,” said Matt Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Neighbors for Results, which commissioned the poll. The poll conducted by RG Strategies surveyed 600 likely voters between Sept. 4 and 7.
Neighbors for Results has spent about $563,000 on Liccardo’s congressional run and has $1.5 million in campaign cash on hand as of Aug. 31. The Super PAC only lists two other donors: former NetApp CEO Daniel Warmenhoven, who has given $50,000, and Cypress Semiconductor founder John Thurman Rodgers, who has contributed $15,000.
Liccardo campaign spokesperson Gil Rubinstein said in a statement that the former mayor “is proud to have the support of Democrats like Mike Bloomberg, who he worked with to reduce gun violence, fight climate change and lower the cost of living.”
“Evan Low, on the other hand, has the support of PG&E, big oil, casinos, and private prisons because he voted their way, like when PG&E wanted rate increases and when big oil wanted to drill near our neighborhoods,” Rubinstein said. “The choice in this race couldn’t be clearer.”
In a statement, Low spokesperson Nathan Click criticized the massive contribution from Bloomberg to the pro-Liccardo Super PAC.
“There couldn’t be a more telling contrast in the race — Evan Low standing with San Jose police officers, and Sam Liccardo standing with billionaires,” Click said, referring to recent criticism from the San Jose Police Officers’ Association over a newly released ad from Liccardo’s campaign.
Liccardo isn’t the only Bay Area politician that Bloomberg is bankrolling. Earlier this month, he contributed $1 million to an independent expenditure committee supporting San Francisco London Breed’s re-election.
Breed, like Liccardo, endorsed Bloomberg’s failed 2020 presidential bid. Liccardo also served as California co-chair of Bloomberg’s campaign after now-Vice President Kamala Harris dropped out. In 2018 when Liccardo was mayor, San Jose was accepted into a two-year program, the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, which sought to help the city meet its climate goals.
A spokesperson for Bloomberg could not immediately be reached for comment.