Morongo Band pours more than $400K into House race

Monday, June 25, 2007  

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians of California has spent $412,000 on the U.S. House campaign of state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat.

The tribe spent the money on newspaper ads, phone calls to voters and bulk mailings.The expenditures prompted a call for an investigation by state Assemblywoman Laura Richardson, a Democrat who is vying for the open seat.

The Morongo Band isn't the only tribe supporting Oropeza. The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians spent $25,000 and the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians spent $20,000 on her campaign.

The candidates are seeking to replace the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, a Democrat who died in April.

Get the Story:
Casino tribe spends more than $270,000 in special election (The Los Angeles Times 6/23)
pwday
Indian tribes invest heavily in California House race (AP 6/24)
Oropeza attacked in mailers (The Long Beach Press-Telegram 6/24)
2 favorites emerge in race for Congress (The Los Angeles Times 6/25)

$rl Morongo Band of Mission Indians - http://www.morongonation.org