Ruling Helps Feinstein Raise $750,000

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dianne Feinstein raised more than $750,000 in the days immediately after a federal judge struck down stringent campaign contribution limits contained in Proposition 73, her campaign finance statement released here Tuesday shows.

During the first four days after the ruling was issued, Feinstein turned to labor unions, Democratic office-holders, party activists and business associates of her husband for the donations, according the report covering the period between July 1 and Sept. 30.

In all, Feinstein raised $4.9 million during the period after costs were deducted. By far, the bulk of the contributions came in increments of $1,000; a large percentage of came in donations of $100 or less.

But when the limits were lifted on Sept. 25, labor unions responded by giving more than $300,000. Included in that amount, the Los Angeles County District Council of Carpenters gave $100,000, while the Carpenters Historical Society Political Action Committee gave $50,000, as did the Service Employees International Union. Feinstein received $10,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers.

On Sept. 27, she received $20,000 from an AFL-CIO political action committee. The California Teachers Assn. gave $50,000, bringing its total contribution to $55,000. The School Employees Assn. of California gave $15,000 on Sept. 28, after having given $5,000 previously.

The Amalgamated Transit Union gave her the maximum $5,000 under Proposition 73, then kicked in another $2,500 when the restriction was tossed out. Operating Engineers Local Union local in Stockton gave her $10,000.

Under Proposition 73, individuals could not give more than $1,000, PACs were limited to giving $5,000 and office-holders were precluded from transferring money to candidates.

On Sept. 25, with six weeks left in the campaign. U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton of Sacramento found the restrictions unconstitutional. The ruling is being appealed.

The former San Francisco mayor had acknowledged she would begin seeking larger donations when the limitations were lifted. She said on Sunday night’s debate that she needed the money to air commercials on television.

Texas billionaire Robert M. Bass, a business associate of Feinstein’s husband, investment banker and money manager Richard C. Blum, gave $36,000. David Bonderman, a Bass business partner, gave $25,000. Businessman John Scully gave her $10,000. Scully is also a Bass partner.

Blum’s prowess as a fund-raiser also was apparent in San Francisco where investment banker Warren Hellman, a friend of Blum’s, donated $50,000 when the limits were lifted.

Dennis B. Block, an executive with the New York-based Exquisite Form Industries, contributed $25,000. Exquisite Form Industries, an apparel company, is affiliated with a Manila-based firm that is a client of Blum’s.

Times Staff Writer Victor Zonana contributed to this story.