SANTA CLARITA : Candidate Rebuts Criticism of Funds

Responding to criticism from one of his opponents, Assembly candidate John Drew said Monday that campaign contributions he has received from savings and loan associations are not examples of special-interest money because they were given to him by family members and friends.

During candidate forums in the 36th Assembly District race, Drew has accused candidates who accept contributions from developers of being unduly influenced by the development industry. The district has no incumbent and stretches from Santa Clarita to the Antelope Valley.

One of Drew’s opponents--Hunt Braly, district chief of staff for state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita)--responded to Drew’s criticism by saying that much of Drew’s support had come from savings and loan companies. The largest contribution in Drew’s March campaign finance report was a $10,000 loan from John Tonoyon, president of Royal Thrift & Loan Co. in West Los Angeles.

Drew said Tonoyon is his uncle and also a Republican fund-raiser. He said other contributions from savings and loan employees were given by friends and employees of Tonoyon.