WASHINGTON — Coachella Valley residents have contributed more than $700,000 to the major party presidential candidates, channeling more than half of that to Republican Sen. John McCain.
Since January 2007, area residents have given $723,523 to McCain of Arizona and Illinois Democrat Barack Obama, according to Federal Election Commission data analyzed by The Desert Sun. Of that, McCain received $498,877, while Obama collected $224,646.
McCain's fundraising lead comes as little surprise in such a strong Republican area, said Benjamin Bishin, associate professor of political science at UC Riverside.
“We vote that way consistently and overwhelmingly,” said Bishin, adding that while some exurbs have experienced a shift, “It's really not the case here. We're solidly red.”
In California, however, Obama has more than a two-to-one fundraising advantage, raking in $46.9 million compared with $20.8 million for McCain, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign financing. Obama also leads in the polls. California traditionally has favored Democratic presidential candidates.
Still, candidates come to states such as California every four years because “They're like big ATMs,” Bishin said. “There are enough donors that it's worth (McCain's) while.”
Ed Witzenburger of Rancho Mirage is one such donor. The registered Republican has regularly contributed to the GOP and, according to FEC records, gave $825 to the McCain campaign for this election.
“I trust him,“ said Witzenburger, a retired Air Force pilot who served in World War II, Vietnam and Korea. “I think he'll do as good a job as one can expect under these circumstances. I respect McCain and his service. I think he's a very tough guy.”
As for Obama, Witzenburger said, “He's a talker, and there's not a great deal of substance.”
Rosalie Zwain of Rancho Mirage disagrees. The retired job recruiter called Obama “a remarkable, gifted and intellectual orator. ... He embraces all of the Democratic ideals that I've followed in my lifetime.”
Zwain, a longtime Democratic activist, said she has supported Obama ever since she heard him speak at the party's 2004 convention and read his two books. FEC records show she gave $195 to Obama's campaign.
“I would give more if I could,” she said. “I support him wholeheartedly.”
While McCain leads in Coachella Valley fundraising, the local Democratic Party is collecting money from the sale of Obama pins and bumper stickers, said Elle Kurpiewski, president of Democrats of the Desert. She said the local party sold 1,000 in five days last week.
“I've never seen anything like it,” she said.
While Obama has not campaigned in the area, McCain has visited several times. Experts and Democrats agree he is expected to win the valley.
In the past two presidential elections, area voters favored the Republican presidential candidate. They voted for President Bush over Sen. John Kerry, 56 percent to 43 percent in 2004.
Marilyn Cooper of Palm Springs had been already sold on McCain, but she chipped in an extra $100 the night he announced Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick.
“That really energized people, and women in particular, that could identify with her,” said Cooper, an art teacher at Riverside Community College.
During the Democratic primary campaign, Glenna Burke of Indio initially supported New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. As her party's field shrank, she focused in on Obama.
“I went, ‘Yeah, that's the guy for me,”' said Burke, principal of Dwight Eisenhower Elementary School in Indio. “I just feel that Barack Obama is what we need. ... He's a breath of fresh air.”
Burke, 55, said she's so excited about Obama she contributed a total of $300, the most she has ever given to a candidate.
“I come from very humble roots myself, and I admire everything that he's doing,” she said. “I feel recharged about politics.”
Desert Sun Washington D.C. reporter Larry Wheeler contributed to this report.
