Gov. Jerry Brown to campaign donors: Keep on giving

Less than two weeks after winning a fourth term, Gov. Jerry Brown plans to collect more money for his reelection committee Monday at a Sacramento reception with lobbyists and their clients.

The invitation, obtained by The Times, suggests contributions of $5,000 for a “private reception and sit down conversation” with the Democratic governor at Mulvaney’s B&L, a few blocks from the state Capitol.

The event is unusual. Typically, candidates who continue to raise money after being elected do so to retire campaign debt. But Brown, who coasted to reelection, appears to have none to repay.

As of Oct. 18, the governor still had nearly $21 million in his reelection account, according to the committee’s most recent finance statement.

There has been no public indication that Brown has spent more than a small fraction of that money since then. He trounced his Republican challenger, Neel Kashkari, nearly 60% to 40%.

In an interview with The Times before the election, Brown said he might use whatever reelection money was left over to campaign for ballot measures over the next four years. He declined to specify what issues they might involve.

A key player in Monday’s reception is Capitol Advocacy, one of Sacramento’s top lobbying firms. The firm’s founder, lobbyist John Latimer, did not return a message left at his office Friday.

Guests are expected to include much of the firm’s client roster, which includes PepsiCo, Corrections Corporation of America, T-Mobile USA Inc., WellCare Health Plans, Pacific Compensation Insurance Co., and Diageo, the British liquor giant.

Stephenie Shah, senior director of government relations for Diageo North America, said she planned to attend.

Spokesmen for Brown did not respond to phone messages and emails about the event. Brown’s chief fundraiser, Angie Tate, had no immediate comment when reached by phone.

Twitter: @finneganLAT