Outside funds flowing to Christensen, Peskin

Outside groups are starting to pour money into the race for District Three supervisor, with tens of thousands of dollars being spent on behalf of appointed Supervisor Julie Christensen and former Supervisor Aaron Peskin, according to independent expenditure reports filed with the city.

The San Francisco Alliance for Jobs and Sustainable Growth has spent $71,247 to back Christensen this year, with most of the money going to door-to-door

campaigning.

Money to the group came from a mix of business and labor sources, including $25,000 each from the laborers and carpenters unions, $43,000 from the San Francisco Police Officers Association, $10,000 from the city’s Chamber of Commerce and $50,000 from the Committee on Jobs, which represents many of the city’s largest businesses.

Another group, the

Friends of Julie Christensen, has raised more than $75,000 in support of Christensen, who was appointed to the seat in January by Mayor Ed Lee. Almost all that money came from a $75,000 contribution from the city’s Police Officers Association on Sept. 16.

On the other side, the San Francisco Tenants and Families spent $81,364 of the $164,551 it raised this year to support

Aaron Peskin, who is looking to regain the seat he held for eight years. Most of that money went to phone banks, lawn signs and online advertising.

Most of the group’s cash came from labor interests, including $50,000 from Service Employees International Union Local 1021, $50,000 from Unite Here, which represents hotel and restaurant workers, and $24,000 from United Educators of San Francisco.

There were few donations for other candidates and propositions, though the Alice B. Toklas Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club PAC did generate in $1,240 in support of Mayor Ed Lee.