California lawmakers are facing scrutiny for their acceptance of lobbyist donations, particularly when it comes to running for federal office. State Sen. Susan Rubio, chair of the Insurance Committee in Sacramento, is one of several legislators running for Congress who have received contributions from lobbyists.

Under California law, state lawmakers cannot accept campaign donations from lobbyists as they raise money for their reelection to the Legislature. However, there are no such restrictions when it comes to running for federal office. This means that lawmakers like Rubio can accept donations from lobbyists for their congressional campaigns, even as they continue to serve in the state legislature.

Rubio has raised nearly $43,300 from registered state lobbyists for her campaign to replace retiring Rep. Grace F. Napolitano in California’s 31st Congressional District. While these donations make up a small portion of her overall fundraising, they represent the most lobbyist money of any California lawmaker running for federal office.

Many of the lobbyists donating to Rubio’s campaign represent companies that have interests in bills heard before committees she sits on as a state legislator, including the Insurance Committee and other committees related to healthcare, alcohol regulations, and energy and utilities.

Overall, eight state legislators are running for Congress this year, with six of them receiving lobbyist donations totaling $96,090. While these donations are legal and constitute a small percentage of the candidates’ total fundraising, watchdog groups like Common Cause have raised concerns about the potential influence of lobbyist money on lawmakers’ decisions.

Despite these concerns, campaign managers for lawmakers like Rubio argue that the donations are based on mutually respectful relationships and that lawmakers have opposed issues that donors have lobbied for in the past. Rubio’s campaign manager also pointed out that she is being outspent by her opponent, Gil Cisneros, who has injected $4 million of his own money into the campaign.

Other lawmakers, such as Assemblymember Evan Low, State Sen. Dave Min, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, State Sen. Anthony Portantino, and State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, have also received lobbyist donations for their congressional campaigns, with varying amounts relative to their total fundraising.

While some lawmakers have expressed willingness to support laws that prevent federal campaigns from accepting money from state lobbyists, others, like Assemblymember Friedman, have emphasized the need to turn down corporate PAC money as a more significant issue in political races.

It is important to note that not all state legislators running for Congress have received lobbyist donations. Sen. Bob Archuleta and Assemblymember Vince Fong are two examples of lawmakers who have not accepted such donations in their campaigns for federal office.

As the debate continues on the influence of lobbyist donations in political campaigns, it remains up to the voters to decide whether they are comfortable with this practice. Election law experts and watchdog groups offer differing perspectives on the ethics of accepting lobbyist contributions, leaving the issue open to interpretation.