The donation arms race heats up in the SD mayoral election

• His first donation went to the conservative Lincoln Club, whose leaders said they hadn't decided how to spend it, but they created "Turn San Diego Around in Support of Larry Turner for Mayor 2024," which got the latest check.
• Other donors, like the owner of Phil's BBQ and the chairman of the Lincoln Club, have given to the committee, but Richter's donations are its overwhelming source.

The other side: "San Diegans for Fairness Supporting Todd Gloria for Mayor and Stephen Whitburn for Council 2024," the committee stood up by philanthropist and power broker Stephen Cushman, quickly started collecting big donations to combat Turner's sudden largesse.

• That committee had raised $903,000 as of Oct. 19, from the development and real estate industry, labor unions, the Sycuan tribe, the regional chamber of commerce and a downtown economic development group.
• The developer behind the Seaport Village redevelopment, a Cal State trustee who was instrumental in the SDSU West project, the developers behind One Paseo in Carmel Valley and the carpenters union each made big contributions.
• A state association for apartment landlords cut a $175,000 check.