The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of Palm Springs and six other tribes have organized a new campaign committee that already has banked $800,000 from just one donor, according to the Secretary of State's office.
"Team 2006, Sponsored by California Sovereign Indian Nations," received its one contribution from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation of El Cajon on Thursday.
Reports filed by the Secretary of State so far don't show any contributions.
The other tribes listed on the committee's organizing statement are the Morongo Band of Mission Indians of Banning, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians of Temecula, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of Patton, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians of Santa Ynez and Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians of San Jacinto.
All but the Sycuan are members of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, comprised of Southern California tribes, some of which operate casinos.
Representatives of the Agua Caliente and TASIN declined to comment about the new committee when contacted Thursday.
Many of these tribes have been active contributors to past political campaigns, donating millions of dollars to ballot measures and candidates.
