Landlords spend $77K to unseat San Diego councilman amid local business donations

The California Apartment Association has spent close to $77,000 in efforts to unseat San Diego Councilman Henry Foster III during the final days of his reelection campaign, according to the Times of San Diego.

This spending, managed through the association's Housing Solution Committee, has included polling and political mailers targeting Foster, some criticizing his involvement in the city's trash fee error.

Two local business groups, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, made donations totaling $45,000 to political committees run by the California Apartment Association within the same 10-day period in October.

Despite the timing and their recent endorsements of Foster's opponent, Martha Abraham, leaders of these local groups have stated their donations are unrelated to the campaign efforts against Foster.

The developments highlight a complex dynamic in local politics as Foster faces opposition backed by landlords and business interests in San Diego's city council race.