Labor unions, entertainment industry figures, developers and an array of other interests with a stake in what happens in Sacramento are lining up behind Gov. Gray Davis as he battles the effort to bounce him from office.
Since the recall measure was placed on the ballot, the governor's anti-recall receipts have eclipsed all fund-raising by those supporting his ouster.
Davis' two committees collected more than $2.4 million in contributions of $1,000 or more so far this month, according to reports filed with the secretary of state.
Fund-raising by pro-recall groups has slowed markedly since late July, when the question qualified for the Oct. 7 ballot. Only $418,000 has been reported by pro-recall groups in August.
Davis -- known as a champion fund-raiser -- has been drawing large checks from stalwart supporters, particularly in organized labor, which pumped millions of dollars into his election campaigns.
The Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees have given $250,000 each in recent days.
Labor leaders meeting Tuesday in Manhattan Beach reiterated their opposition to the recall effort, while backing Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante as their choice should Davis lose his job. Dean Tipps, head of the SEIU, which represents 500,000 members in California, explained organized labor's generosity. "Labor spends money," he said. "We want to make sure turnout is not skewed against working people."
The state Building and Construction Trades Council of California has provided $155,619 in August to fight the recall. The union representing California Highway Patrolmen donated $25,000.
The Amalgamated Transit Union, which is locked in contract talks with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has sent $20,000 to the Davis committees this month. The governor recently called for a 60-day cooling off period to head off a strike by MTA mechanics.
State law generally limits contributions to gubernatorial candidates to $21,200, but Davis is not a candidate on the recall ballot and is not subject to any caps.
The governor's anti-recall effort this month received $100,000 checks from financier R. Allen Stanford and from his Houston-based Stanford Financial Group.
Norman Pattiz, chairman of broadcaster Westwood One Inc., also sent $100,000.
