While Newsom keeps jamming ads claiming that Republicans are spending millions to get him out of office, the unpopular Democrat governor has raised $45 million.

Larry Elder, the best-financed candidate, has raised ten percent of that after entering the race.

Where are some of Newsom’s checks coming from? Gambling interests.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, with a reservation that checkerboards the western Coachella Valley, has given $500,000 in support of Newsom, according to Secretary of State filings.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in Northern California, which has given $750,000 to the same committee backing Newsom, represents the largest donation from a Native American tribe in the race.

Also known as the Graton Resort & Casino.

Agua Caliente has three area casinos and owns other business ventures… In 2020, Agua Caliente gave more than $1 million in cash contributions to another political cause: a sports betting ballot initiative that would allow tribal casinos in California to offer roulette, dice games and sports wagering. Tribal Chairman Jeff Grubbe is one of the major proponents of the initiative, which will appear on ballots in November 2022 and is not part of this fall’s recall election.

The Agua Caliente tribe has 432 enrolled members and over 2,200 employees. 

Chairman Jeff Grubbe and Vice Chairman Reid Milanovich (pictured above) have been very successful. 

Californians less so.