San Diego’s Hotelier Political Donations
The evidence below strongly suggests that the character of the Hotelier Cabal is NOT Republican or Democrat, right or left, religious or atheist, gay or straight, or anything else of the kind. The Cabal is simply about greed and power – instigated by THREE older white men (and their agents / minions) seeking to financially influence whomever necessary in order to control and pillage our civic landscape for themselves. Note that these Cabaliers have never liked or supported any tax – until, that is, they found one they could get their hands on to serve themselves and their interests – a.k.a. the TMD tax.
The Cabal’s only cause, ultimately, is themselves. They do not act based on principles, either moral or political. Despite this, certain San Diego political factions have chosen to get in bed with these folks in exchange for money, influence and power. This is a Faustian Bargain that will haunt them. While they still have time, these organizations would be well-advised to rapidly reposition themselves away from these people, and return to the principles they have historically espoused. Now for the fingerprints in the public-arena that may help to answer the questions of Who?, What?, Where?, and Why?:
- Kevin Faulconer for Mayor 2016 – Political Action Committee Donations (1-1-2015 through 6-30-2015)
(Pay special attention to political donations by the San Diego Lodging Industry Association, as well as other fellow-traveling interest groups.) - Kevin Faulconer for Mayor 2016 – Individual Political Donations (1-1-2015 through 6-30-2015)
(Pay special attention to maxed out political donations by hoteliers Lizabeth Bartell, Richard Bartell, C.Terry Brown, Charlene Brown, David Cherashore, Grace Evans Cherashore, Anne Evans, William Evans, Robert Gleason, Doug Manchester, Cynthia McDowell, Michael McDowell, Lorin Stewart, Joseph Terzi, Thomas Voss, etc.) - Hotelier Cabal $1,000 Per Person Fundraiser for “Puppet” Mayor Kevin Faulconer
Fundraiser Invite – May 26, 2016 - Tourism Marketing District (TMD) 2015 Board of Directors
(Note the top FOUR hotelier names / companies that play musical-chairs with the top TMD Officer positions year after year – so as to maintain full control over TMD’s $30 million plus per year of taxpayer funds) - Scott Sherman for City Council 2016 – Individual Political Donations (1-1-2015 through 6-30-2015)
(Pay special attention to maxed out political donations by hoteliers Estee Bartell, Hannah Bartell, Lizabeth Bartell, Lydia Bartell, Richard Bartell, C.Terry Brown, Charlene Brown, David Cherashore, Grace Evans Cherashore, William Evans, Robert Gleason, Doug Manchester, Geniya Manchester, Cynthia McDowell, Michael McDowell, Joseph Terzi, etc.) ***With respect to the Chargers Stadium issue, why is this Councilmember proposing a mega development project in his own council district, a district already overrun by traffic and with virtually no parks or open space? Does this make any sense? Does his constituency in District 7 support him on this? If not, why, and for whom is he proposing this?*** - Who Runs San Diego: The Use and Abuse of the Transient Occupancy Tax
- Terry Brown is allied with fellow mega-innkeepers Bill Evans, Richard Bartell, and Douglas Manchester, who also owns UT San Diego
- Personal and Campaign Gifts to Council Democrats a Long Tradition at GOP’s Evans Operation
- Bill Evans, Man of Influence
- D.A. Dumanis at Center of Tangled Cash Web
- Disturbing Hotelier Political Donations to San Diego’s District Attorney & Others
- C. Terry Brown, Richard Bartell and host of other special interests provided funding to Republican federal committee transferring $70,000 for Zapf, Cate
- Hotel titan C. Terry Brown leading legal war against Democrat Filner had role in San Diego Nixon scandal
- Past ghosts haunt hotel owners’ silent contributions to signature drive
- Another unreported DeMaio contribution disclosed by Sheppard Mullin law firm
- Who Runs San Diego? Papa Doug the Kingmaker
- Papa Doug Manchester hasn’t forgotten Carl DeMaio
- The Fall Of The San Diego Union-Tribune
- Republican Party Raises Big Bucks to Stop Frye (The Cabalier takeover begins – November 2005)
- Measuring the Money
- Ballot Bucks

Political Donation Spreadsheets for San Diego’s Elected Officials
Search and see for yourself the tsunami of donations by the FOUR Hotelier Cabaliers and their agents / minions
Mayor Kevin Faulconer | Donations since 2006 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 1 Councilmember Sherri Lightner | Donations since 2007 | Democrat | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 2 Councilmember Lorie Zapf | Donations since 2009 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria | Donations since 2007 | Democrat | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 4 Councilmember Myrtle Cole | Donations since 2013 | Democrat | NONE |
District 5 Councilmember Mark Kersey | Donations since 2011 | Republican | NONE |
District 6 Councilmember Chris Cate | Donations since 2014 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 7 Councilmember Scott Sherman | Donations since 2011 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District 8 Councilmember David Alvarez | Donations since 2009 | Democrat | SLIGHT – only in 2010 |
District 9 Councilmember Marti Emerald | Donations since 2007 | Democrat | FULL of Cabal Donations |
City Attorney Jan Goldsmith | Donations since 2007 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis | Donations since 2010 | Republican | FULL of Cabal Donations |
