Getting "Stuck" In The Bay?

The latest installment piggybacks on my previous post about some alleged discrepancies with former State Senator and Northstate resident, Jim Nielsen. As you may recall, Mr. Nielsen is now running for State Assembly for our district up here. One of the local papers, The Record Searchlight, published his campaign funds thus far into the assemblyman's race, and he has a seemingly insurmountable lead. Check it:

1. Jim Nielsen (R) - $279,000
2. Pete Stiglich (R) - $14,000
3. John Martinez (R) - $5,000

Let it be known Nielsen's opponents are both running "grass-roots" campaigns, so funding isn't as nearly abundant compared to Nielsen's strong ties to Sac-Town's political big-wigs and corporate homeboys. Far and away, from a monetary perspective, the race looks like a no-contest, but I've also been told two of Nielsen's opponents have either applied for, or already gotten $100,000 loans for their campaigns.

Regardless of the dinero disparity, the interesting thing about this story is WHO Mr. Nielsen has received some of his donations from. Aside from cash he's picked up from the likes of PG&E, Blue Cross of CA and the Chevron Corp., Jimmy also grabbed 60different donations from chinese acupuncturists in California (the vast majority from the Bay Area).

Now I understand he may have friends in high ... and low places ... but 60? Most acupuncturists were "self-employed" and most gave $100.

The question I pose is how does Mr. Nielsen know all these people? I can't imagine their businesses are well-known enough for Mr. Nielsen to know them personally, but then again I could be wrong.

It appears there could be another story here. I'll just have to keep "poking" around.

I'll keep you posted.

C