ANAHEIM – The Walt Disney Co. is pumping more than $300,000 into local political campaigns, particularly the City Council race in Disneyland's hometown, according to campaign finance reports.
Most of the money is funneling through political-action committees that support specific contenders, rather than directly to the candidates themselves.
The election is crucial to the company because Anaheim is home to the Disneyland Resort – Orange County's largest employer with 23,000 workers in two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping district. Hotel bed taxes, especially around the Disney area, make up the largest chunk of the city's revenue.
Campaign reports show that Disney has spent at least $340,000 on city campaigns and committees that support council candidates. Unions are also spending heavily, with records showing that they've donated more than $430,000, mostly to support John Leos' City Council campaign.
