Proposed referendum would restrict campaign donations in Aurora

An Aurora mayoral candidate wants to limit campaign donations from people and companies that do business with the city, saying such donations are “pay to play” politics that hurt residents.

John Laesch, who is an alderman-at-large, filed a hefty petition Monday afternoon at the city clerk’s office for an advisory referendum.

The referendum asks the city to adopt regulations prohibiting elected officials or candidates from receiving more than $1,000 annually in contributions from any corporation, organization or person who has, or is seeking, a city contract; establishment or benefit from a tax-increment financing district; or any official act.

Laesch said the petition was signed by more than 2,000 residents.

Being advisory, it would not force the city council to do anything. Laesch said Monday he is seeking the measure in part to make it an issue during the mayoral campaign, and to let the city council know what residents want.

At a small rally before the filing, Casildo “Casey” Cuevas, a political activist who is supporting Laesch, said the limit is needed “to basically keep the rich people from buying off our elections.”

And mayoral candidate Jazmine Garcia also supports the idea. “I do not trust that the (city) bidding process is fair,” she said at the rally.

“Truly, what me and John share is a vision of a leftist populism that can stand against hatred … against special interests, loudly and proudly. Against the pay-to-play politics of sellouts like (Mayor) Richard Irvin,” Garcia said.

“I think it is just plain silly,” Irvin responded Tuesday.

He said Laesch “is making up things to challenge my immense progress” on economic development for the city.

“He’s trying to make me look bad so he can make himself look good.”

Irvin had $189,521 in his campaign fund as of Sept. 30, and has received at least $71,750 in donations of over $1,000 since then, according to state campaign financing disclosures. Laesch had $2,830 Sept. 30, and has received $7,000 in donations over $1,000 since then. Garcia has not filed a report yet.

Finance reports are required when a candidate receives or spends $5,000 or more in a 12-month period.

Judd Lofchie and Alderman Ted Mesiacos also are running for mayor. There will be a primary Feb. 25. to reduce the field to two candidates for the April 1 election.

Irvin said he abides by state campaign finance laws in reporting contributions. He also said the city has “stringent” practices regarding bidding on contracts, and noted that as mayor, he doesn’t vote on matters unless the city council is tied.

“Why create a new law to fix a problem that doesn’t exist?” Irvin said.