Precisely a month after Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom attacked a prominent critic of a controversial Balboa Park traffic and parking makeover plan being promoted by La Jolla billionaire Irwin Jacobs, the Qualcomm founder and his wife Joan contributed a total of $12,000 to Newsom's 2014 re-election bid.
According to a March 16 campaign disclosure filing posted online by the state secretary of state's office, the contributions were made March 15.
As we reported earlier this month, Newsom sent a February 15 letter to San Diego architect and state Historic Preservation Officer Milford Wayne Donaldson, criticizing him for questioning the so-called Plaza de Panama proposal.
Without mentioning Jacobs, Newsom called the project "a shining example of what we can do to improve our communities when private and public parties come together with the shared goal of preserving California's history."
He then advised Donaldson: "This is a project with broad local political, philanthropic and community support, so it may be more productive to work in collaboration with the project development team to achieve your goal of preserving this historical open-space.
"As the State Historic Preservation Officer I hope that you will consider these arguments, withdraw your comments, and begin to work in collaboration with the leaders of the Plaza de Panama project."
"Should you need help making contact with the project team I stand ready to assist."
A link to Newsom's letter was subsequently tweeted by Rachel Laing, a spokeswoman for GOP mayor Jerry Sanders, another beneficiary of Jacobs family financial support who is backing the Balboa Park project.
(Last week Laing announced she was leaving the mayor's employ to work for Public Policy Strategies, a lobbying firm founded by his close political advisor Tom Shepard.)
Prior to his latest contribution, Jacobs previously gave $5,000 to Newsom's successful 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor.
Precisely a month after Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom attacked a prominent critic of a controversial Balboa Park traffic and parking makeover plan being promoted by La Jolla billionaire Irwin Jacobs, the Qualcomm founder and his wife Joan contributed a total of $12,000 to Newsom's 2014 re-election bid.
According to a March 16 campaign disclosure filing posted online by the state secretary of state's office, the contributions were made March 15.
As we reported earlier this month, Newsom sent a February 15 letter to San Diego architect and state Historic Preservation Officer Milford Wayne Donaldson, criticizing him for questioning the so-called Plaza de Panama proposal.
Without mentioning Jacobs, Newsom called the project "a shining example of what we can do to improve our communities when private and public parties come together with the shared goal of preserving California's history."
He then advised Donaldson: "This is a project with broad local political, philanthropic and community support, so it may be more productive to work in collaboration with the project development team to achieve your goal of preserving this historical open-space.
"As the State Historic Preservation Officer I hope that you will consider these arguments, withdraw your comments, and begin to work in collaboration with the leaders of the Plaza de Panama project."
"Should you need help making contact with the project team I stand ready to assist."
A link to Newsom's letter was subsequently tweeted by Rachel Laing, a spokeswoman for GOP mayor Jerry Sanders, another beneficiary of Jacobs family financial support who is backing the Balboa Park project.
(Last week Laing announced she was leaving the mayor's employ to work for Public Policy Strategies, a lobbying firm founded by his close political advisor Tom Shepard.)
Prior to his latest contribution, Jacobs previously gave $5,000 to Newsom's successful 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor.