Campaign Gifts

* Because my campaign was featured prominently as an example of last-minute contributions that SB 754 (Bill Lockyer, D-Hayward) is aimed at controlling, I believe “Senate OKs Curbs on Last-Minute Campaign Gifts” (May 12) may leave people with several erroneous impressions.

I am not opposed to the measure. I believe I will be supportive of it, barring unforeseen amendments. I am certain to become the Democrats’ “poster boy” for every campaign-finance reform measure they might dream up, but, as your article pointed out, 25% of all campaign funds were raised during the time period covered by SB 754. The Senate Elections Committee consultant confirmed that “it is not uncommon to receive 40% to 50%” of the funds in the final weeks of a campaign. Republican candidates were heavily outspent in the final weeks of last year’s campaign; Democratic candidates tend to get money late and spend late.

The article said the bill’s real aim was to prevent “sneak attacks” that leave candidates “vulnerable.” I do not want readers left with the impression that my campaign, when it received an unexpected, last-minute donation, used the funds for “sneak attacks.” My campaign sent out issue-oriented material consistent with campaign themes I had spoken about publicly throughout the campaign.

STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL

Assembly, R-Rancho Palos Verdes