Doubling down on death merchant cash - Elk Grove Mayor Singh-Allen take more big tobacco money

As required by state law, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen recorded her campaign finance disclosure with the Elk Grove City Clerk this week. While the mayor received the usual contributions from labor unions and business interests between October and December 31 of 2024, one cash contribution stood out.

According to her California Form 460, on November 4, one day before the general election, Singh-Allen accepted a $2,000 donation from Phillip Morris USA Inc., a division of Altria. Phillip Morris USA is the largest American cigarette manufacturer. 

Political contributions from tobacco companies are controversial because not only has smoking been banned in most public places and has become a social taboo, it is a leading carcinogen. Tobacco companies have also been characterized as death merchants and have targeted their products to youth. 

This is not the first time Singh-Allen has accepted big tobacco money. In September, the mayor received $2,500 from American tobacco purveyor R. J. Reynolds.

Companies like R.J. Reynolds have been criticized for using the Joe Campbell cartoon character to appeal to youth. More recently, tobacco companies have been under scrutiny for their candy-flavored vaping products, which one study showed give the false impression that they are less hazardous.

During the recent campaign, Lynn Wheat, one of Singh-Allen's opponents, urged her to donate the R. J. Reynolds money to youth health initiatives (see video below). In response to that suggestion, Singh-Allen tried to suppress Ms. Wheat's constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech. 

Not only does it appear Mayor Singh-Allen did not heed the suggestion, but she doubled down and accepted more tobacco money.  In her day job, Ms. Singh-Allen is a lobbyist for a gas station-convenience store

association. These retailers are the leading distributors of tobacco products, which is a large part of their revenue.