April 5, 2011 - A $150,000 contract agreement between the California Citizens Redistricting Commission and a voting rights law firm hit a bump in the road when it was revealed that the firm has made federal campaign contributions and is a registered federal lobbying firm, according to the Contra Costa Times.
MAPLight.org researchers have revealed that employees of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher have contributed significantly to California legislators. Since 2003, $29,700 was given to legislators, $22,800 (77%) of which was given in the last four years. Of the total sum, Democrats have received $21,700, almost three-quarters, to the Republicans' $8,000.
At the federal level, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and its employees have given $1.2 million to United States senators and House members since 2001. Seventy percent ($812,255) of the firm's federal contributions have gone to Democrats (including Independent Joe Lieberman, who caucuses with the Democrats).
Contributions to California Legislators from Employees of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
| Party | Recipient | Total |
| Democrats | ||
| Alex Padilla | $ 750 | |
| Anthony Portantino | $ 250 | |
| Bob Blumenfield | $ 3,000 | |
| Bonnie Lowenthal | $ 250 | |
| Curren Price | $ 1,000 | |
| Darrell Steinberg | $ 1,000 | |
| Dave Jones | $ 3,500 | |
| Elaine Alquist | $ 100 | |
| Gloria Negrete McLeod | $ 200 | |
| Gloria Romero | $ 1,000 | |
| Holly Mitchell | $ 100 | |
| Jerry Hill | $ 100 | |
| Mark Leno | $ 1,000 | |
| Mike Feuer | $ 8,450 | |
| Tom Torlakson | $ 1,000 | |
| Democrat Total | $ 21,700 | |
| Republicans | | |
| Allan Mansoor | $ 2,000 | |
| Bob Huff | $ 1,000 | |
| Diane Harkey | $ 1,750 | |
| Mimi Walters | $ 2,000 | |
| Tony Strickland | $ 1,250 | |
| Republican Total | $ 8,000 | |
| Grand Total | $ 29,700 | |
Contributions to Federal Legislators from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and its Employees
| Party | Office | Total |
| Democrat | House (54) | $ 178,365 |
| Senate (43) | $ 633,890 | |
| Democrat Total | $ 812,255 | |
| Republican | House (38) | $ 56,300 |
| Senate (35) | $ 285,871 | |
| Republican Total | $ 342,171 | |
| Grand Total | $ 1,154,426 |
Methodology: Includes reported contributions to campaigns of California Assemblymembers and senators, January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2010. California campaign contributions data source: National Institute on Money in State Politics. Includes reported contributions to congressional campaigns of United States House members and senators, January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2010. Federal campaign contributions data source: Center for Responsive Politics.
