“To date, our volunteer organizers have sent more than 500,000 text messages to voters in battleground states,” Beltran said.
Graton Rancheria, a consortium of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo bands with about 1,500 registered members, was little-known until it opened an $800 million gambling venue in 2013.
Its political contributions come from actively opposing plans for a gambling resort just 25 miles north.
The Koi Nation, a Pomo band uprooted from its ancestral roots in Lake County, has purchased nearly 70 acres in the Shiloh area outside Windsor and is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation in a casino resort that is at least comparable in size. . , a gambling destination where Graton Rancheria is expanding.
A decision on the Koi Nation proposal is pending with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a federal agency.
Mr. McEwan described Gratton Rancheria’s large-scale foray into the political arena as “growing a garden of influence.”
“Sophisticated groups garden early and often,” he said. “Because I didn’t come to you to ask for this one thing. I’m nurturing a relationship.”
Tribal Chairman Greg Sallis declined a request for an interview, but sent a short statement to the Press-Democrat.
“The mission of the Graton Rancheria Indian Federation is social justice and environmental stewardship,” Saris wrote. “We support measures, proposals, and candidates that advance these ideals.”
In addition to the $4 million to Californians’ Choice, his tribe has given $1.5 million to a PAC called the Newsom Ballot Task Force, $200,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and $200,000 to the Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Standing Strong PAC. and partners with members of the House of Representatives). Adam Schiff), $100,000 each to House Majority PAC and Senate Majority PAC. The last two are supporting Democratic elections.
“I think this is a reflection of the chairman and his politics, the chairman and his interests and how he steers the dollar,” McEwan said.
“I would venture to say that Sarris has been great in this regard,” he added.
In the North Bay, examples of rancher contributions include an $11,000 donation to Rep. Damon Connolly, whose district includes part of Sonoma County. $18,200 to Healdsburg-based state Senate President Mike McGuire; And he donated $5,500 to Rohnert Park City Councilwoman Jackie Elward, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate seat being vacated by Napa’s Bill Dodd.
“They’re essential to making it rain,” McEwan said of the tribe. “They’re the center of early money. That means if you’re thinking about running for office, if you’re looking to build around an issue or an interest, you need to talk to the tribe. (California) This is important because 52% of Congress will have an expiring term between now and 2026.”
The tribe donated $8,900 to the California Democratic Party, but also gave large sums to Democratic parties in 28 other states and the District of Columbia. It was presented to California State Representatives Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman, who represent the North Bay and North Coast, respectively, and Schiff. He donated to Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Sen. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico, and many other Democrats.
Graton Rancheria also sent money to PACs focused on progressive policies for veterans, protecting the middle class and swinging seats in red and purple districts.
“Tribes have an interest in making sure their sovereignty is protected,” said Miriam Jorgensen, a senior research fellow at the University of Arizona’s Native Nations Research Institute. “It makes sense to contribute to politicians whose commitments align with ours.”
Jorgensen said for a long time, sovereignty issues were largely bipartisan. Republicans welcomed the opportunity to shrink the federal government and increase local control, while Democrats focused on poverty and civil rights, issues that clearly affected Native Americans.
