Ly Raised Over $200k For Elk Grove Mayoral Campaign; Taps Union IE's, Out-of-state Donors

February 24, 2017 |  

If there is a new price tag established for winning a mayoral race in Elk Grove, Steve Ly's campaign set the new standard in his successful 2016 bid for the two year term.

In financial disclosures filed with the Elk Grove City Clerk's office, Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly report donations totaling $237,271 for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2016. Of that amount, $205,174 was cash and the balance in non-monetary donations such as free office space from Pappas Investments, a major real estate developer and landlord in Elk Grove.

During the period between October 23 and December 31, 2016, Ly raised $49,282 in cash. Much of that cash, $23,080 came from out-of-state donations, mostly from Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

Among significant cash donations Ly received during the year was $12,500 from the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 447, $12,000 from former Elk Grove Mayor and political mentor Gary Davis, and  $200 from Kennedy Xiong, Chief Financial Officer, Wilton Rancheria.

Although Ly did not receive the money directly, his campaign efforts was bolstered by a $100,000 independent expenditure committee dubbed the Resident for Responsible Growth. The "residents" from this group included Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 477 and the Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, who each gave $50,000.

Among the notable expenditures made by Ly included $2,600 to FlyingSigns Aerial Advertising. On election day, Ly hired the firm to fly an aerial banner over Elk Grove. 

Ly ended the year with $26,768 and $20,104 in debt.