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Campaign Finance: Prop 37 Opponents Leave Advocates in Dust
October 5, 2012
2 Min Read
Opponents of Californias food labeling ballot initiative have outspent proponents of the measure by a factor of more than eight to one.
Citing campaign data from the California Secretary of State as of Sept. 30, the research organization MapLight reports that opponents to the No on 37 campaign have contributed $34.5 million while advocates have only spent $4.1 million.
Monsanto Company, alone, has contributed $7.1 million in opposition to Proposition 37, which would require genetically modified food to be labeled, according to MapLight Voter's Edge for California, a self-described nonpartisan guide to ballot measures. EI DuPont de Nemours & Co. wasn't far behind, shelling out $4.9 million.
The agriculture and food and beverage industries have led funding in opposition to the measure while the organic and alternative health sectors have contributed the largest amounts in support of Prop 37, according to MapLight.
MapLight reports that Mercola.com Health Resources LLC has made the largest contribution ($1.1 million) in favor of the measure.
In spite of the financing disparity, polls have shown overwhelming support for the measure. If it's going to be defeated, opponents likely will have to open up their pocketbooks even wider over the next month leading up to the Nov. 6 election.
Check out MapLight's charts below for the juicy details and our recent coverage on the pros and cons of Prop 37.
TOP 10 CONTRIBUTORS TO YES ON PROPOSITION 37
($4.1 million raised in total)
Rank | Contributor Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
1 | MERCOLA.COM HEALTH RESOURCES LLC | $1,100,000 |
2 | NATURE'S PATH FOODS U.S.A. INC. FINE NATURAL FOOD PRODUCTS | $610,709 |
3 | DR. BRONNER'S MAGIC SOAPS ALL-ONE-GOD-FAITH INC. | $358,883 |
4 | ORGANIC CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS' COMMITTEE FOR THE RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT GMOS (unitemized contributions) | $335,122 |
5 | WEHAH FARM, INC., DBA LUNDBERG FAMILY FARMS | $250,000 |
6 | ALEX BOGUSKY | $100,000 |
7 | AMY'S KITCHEN | $100,000 |
8 | CLIF BAR & COMPANY | $100,000 |
9 | GREAT FOODS OF AMERICA | $100,000 |
10 | ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION | $92,468 |
TOP 10 CONTRIBUTORS TO NO ON PROPOSITION 37
($34.5 million raised in total)
Rank | Contributor Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
1 | MONSANTO COMPANY | $7,100,500 |
2 | E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO. | $4,900,000 |
3 | BASF PLANT SCIENCE | $2,000,000 |
4 | DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC | $2,000,000 |
5 | BAYER CROPSCIENCE | $2,000,000 |
6 | PEPSICO, INC. | $1,716,300 |
7 | NESTLE USA, INC. | $1,169,400 |
8 | COCA-COLA COMPANY | $1,164,400 |
9 | CONAGRA FOODS | $1,076,700 |
10 | SYNGENTA CORPORATION | $1,000,000 |
CONTRIBUTION BREAKDOWN BY INDUSTRY
Yes on Proposition 37 (Green)
No on Proposition 37 (Red)
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