By Robert Haugh
Congressman Ro Khanna has been pushing to ban federal lobbyists from being allowed to contribute to Congressmembers.
Here’s a post that’s been running on TikTok saying that over 12,000 lobbyists spent $3.29 billion on Congress in 2024:
But Khanna recently took a $3,300 contribution from 49er co-owner and CEO Jed York. That’s the maximum amount York can legally give to Khanna.
York is also a registered lobbyist in Santa Clara and was one at the time of the contribution.
Santa Clara News Online contacted Khanna’s office for an explanation.
“As a member of Congress, Rep. Khanna’s job is to shape policy and decision-making on a federal level. He is not involved in state or local decisions,” said Marie Baldassarre, Rep. Khanna’s spokesperson.
York and the 49ers are actively attempting to secure state and federal funding for the FIFA World Cup and the Super Bowl in 2026.
Baldassarre could not answer SCNO’s inquiry about whether Khanna knew York was a lobbyist, but did state he would not return the contribution.
Khanna emailed a response.
“We search the federal lobbyist registry. So I have not misled in any way. This has been my pledge since I ran in 2014,” wrote Khanna.
“Jed York and I have done OpEds together on reindustrialization in Mahoning Valley in Ohio and worked on expanding STEM to kids in the Bay (Area). I was impressed with their efforts during Covid. I see no reason why I wouldn’t welcome his support as a leader in the Bay Area.”
But Khanna’s defense of the York contribution did not go over well with ethicist Dr. Tom Shanks, the former director of Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Shanks also established Santa Clara’s award-winning ethics program decades ago.
“When it comes to the negative impact of money on our elections, there is no difference between federal and local. It’s all bad,” said Shanks.
“Jed York is a registered lobbyist in the City of Santa Clara which is in Khanna’s district. And more importantly, York may be the person most responsible for the current state of politics in Santa Clara and the corruption we see at City Hall.
“If Khanna wants to demonstrate high ethical standards on this issue, he would return York’s contribution.”
Khanna’s staff dropped the ball. Need to do more research.
How could they not be aware of the offenses committed by Jed York? He buys councils. Now York is buying congressmen? For what? York stiffed the school district. $14M. What did 49ers do during COVID? Use the stadium as a vaccination site and promoted the SJ mayor and county supervisors. Where were the Santa Clara City leaders?
Taking money from a crook who has abused his relationship with Santa Clara is a slap in the face to folks who have stood up to York and that includes Lisa Gillmor. Sorry Ro. York is a lobbyist. Period. Give the money back.
@Adam – What the 49ers did during COVID was moved the team to Arizona in reaction of SC health guidelines. That way Jed didn’t need to comply with any of it. Such community supporters for bailing on us all
So now it’s the 49er 6?
https://apnews.com/article/9c7790f340ed3cdeaa22e0aec8ec5cf3
Eddie D. Gambling in new irleans
Jed York, gambling in mexico
49 grand to congrssional incimbents
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/22/congress-gambling-addiction-sports-betting
Congress wants to end sports betting, Ro.
You are supported by a partner of a casino
Most imprtant
49ers are partnerd in an a project to create a INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BETTING GROUP.
YEP.
49ERS Partenerd with Mexican casino undsr in estigation.
49ers seek to create a sports betting empure.