Investigating Campaign Activity in Gilroy: A Commitment to Transparency

UPDATE: For all the latest updates on this story, visit: Transparency in Action.

As a candidate for Gilroy City Council and a concerned voter, I’ve taken it upon myself to investigate recent campaign mailers that have been circulating in our community. My commitment to transparency and accountability drives me to ensure that the people of Gilroy have the facts they need before making their decisions at the polls.

On October 5th, I received a full-page color mailer targeting incumbent Mayor Marie Blankley. The mailer contained misquoted statistics and other suspicious information that didn’t sit right with me. Like everyone else, I want to know who’s trying to influence our local elections. I began researching to find out who was behind this mailer for my own personal knowledge.

Just three days later, on October 8th, I received four more full-page mailers. This time three were supporting the incumbent city council candidates. The fourth mailer attacking Mayor Blankley. All from the same group that sent the mailer on October 5th. It was clear to me that these were part of a coordinated effort and I felt it was important to dig deeper.

I’ve made my findings public because I believe it’s crucial for everyone in our community to have access to the facts.

1. Entity Lookup: "California Friends and Family, LP"

I began by examining the first mailer sent out to Gilroy residents. The mailers list an entity called "CALIFORNIA FRIENDS AND FAMILY, LP," which I found to be registered in Delaware. On October 8, before the second wave of mailers came out, I contacted the State of Delaware and requested a copy of the limited partnership records. I expect to receive this within 10 business days and will share those findings as soon as they arrive.

2. Return Address Investigation

Next, I reverse-searched the return address listed on the mailers. The address is linked to Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP, a law firm specializing in government law (https://www.nmgovlaw.com/contact-us/offices/). This discovery helped connect the mailers to a specific legal entity and provided further clarity on the mailing source.

3. FPPC Lookup: “Building Tomorrow”

I continued my investigation by searching for “Building Tomorrow” on the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) lookup site, Cal-Access. Here’s what I found:

The organization’s full name is "BUILDING TOMORROW, SPONSORED BY CALIFORNIA FRIENDS AND FAMILY." However, previous records indicate it was historically known as "BUILDING TOMORROW, SPONSORED BY TEN SOUTH MANAGEMENT INC." This shift in sponsorship raises important questions about the connections between these entities.
The amendment lists William McGuinn, the General Counsel for TenSouth, as a principal officer. McGuinn's involvement as General Counsel is also referenced in this Gilroy Dispatch article, which details the ongoing lawsuit involving Gandolfi Investments: Developer claims builder’s remedy victory for 501-unit project. The email used for filing these documents is “FORM410@NMGOVLAW.COM,” linking the filings directly to Nielsen Merksamer.

4. Additional Connections: Gandolfi Investments

To gain further insight, I explored Gandolfi Investments, a subsidiary of builder TenSouth. Gandolfi Investments is currently suing the city of Gilroy under the builder’s remedy law. Following a closed session discussion on July 29, the City Council voted 4-3 to fight the lawsuit. Notably, Council Members Rebeca Armendariz, Zach Hilton, and Fred Tovar voted in dissent. You can read more about this lawsuit in the Gilroy Dispatch article here.

Verify the Information Yourself

Transparency is key. If you want to verify the information I’ve shared, you can check the FPPC Form 460 covering the period from 01/01/2024 through 09/21/2024. You’ll find the following details:

Total Contributions Received: From CALIFORNIA FRIENDS AND FAMILY LP, DOVER, DE 19904: $200,000.00
Total Expenditures Made: $45,151.50 for ($33,750.00 for Media Advertisements)

See for yourself here: FPPC Filing. Click on "Electronic Filings" to view the details.

My Ongoing Commitment

I know that taking this approach might put me at risk of becoming the next target for criticism. However, my priority is ensuring that voters, like myself, have access to accurate, unbiased information. This commitment to transparency and fairness is what I do in my personal life, my work, and on the planning commission—and it’s exactly what I will continue to do if elected. I am committed to keeping our election process local, fair, and transparent.

Thank you for your support and for standing with me as we work together to uphold the integrity of our community.

Statement: Please note that I have not sent, and I have no plans to send, any mailers for my campaign. My focus is on direct, transparent communication through digital platforms and community engagement.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is based on publicly available records and my independent research. No accusations or allegations are being made; this information is provided solely for transparency and public awareness.