2024: Jim Desmond Started A Political Committee, Common Sense California, Which Paid His Communications Director Nearly $6,000 And Spent Nearly $37,000 For A Voter ID Ballot Initiative
July 2024: Desmond Started A Committee, Common Sense California, Which He Said Would Advocate For “Common Sense Policies” Through Mail And Digital Ads
July 2024: In Introducing Common Sense California, Desmond Said, “I Have Started A Committee Dedicated To Challenging The Extreme Ideas And Overregulation Holding Us Back.” “California is at a crossroads, and we need your support to restore common sense to our great state. I have started a committee dedicated to challenging the extreme ideas and overregulation holding us back. It's time we introduced practical solutions and restored reason to our governance. https://www.commonsenseca.com/.” [Desmond for Congress, Facebook, 7/9/24]
Image: see original report, p. 89
Common Sense California’s Website Said It Was “A Statewide Grassroots Leader Movement Led By Jim Desmond Advocating For Common Sense Policies.” “A statewide grassroots leader movement led by Jim Desmond advocating for common sense policies.” [Common Sense California, accessed 5/14/26]
Image: see original report, p. 89
[Common Sense California, accessed 5/14/26]
Common Sense California’s Website Said It Achieved Its Mission Through Digital Ads, Mailers, And Other Platforms. “We are fighting for common sense policies, but it will take all of us coming together and speaking out. Common Sense California achieves its mission by: Fighting against tax increases and far-left policies that are destroying our region. Through digital ads, mailers, and other platforms, we are able to get messaging out fighting for common sense principles. Jim Desmond, one of the leading common sense voices in San Diego County, is fighting to lower taxes and make Southern California more affordable.” [Common Sense California, accessed 5/14/26]
Image: see original report, p. 90
[Common Sense California, accessed 5/14/26]
2024: Common Sense California Paid Nearly $6,000 To Its Principal Officer, Miles Himmel, Who Was Desmond’s Communications Director And Later Received More Than $29,000 From Desmond’s Congressional Campaign
2024: Common Sense California Listed Miles Himmel As Its Principal Officer And Paid Himmel Nearly $6,000
June 2024: In Its Statement Of Organization, Common Sense California Listed Miles Himmel As Its Principal Officer. [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 410, filed 6/5/24]
Image: see original report, p. 90
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 410, filed 6/5/24]
- July 2024: Common Sense California Amended Its Name To Include “Controlled By Jim Desmond.” [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 410, filed 7/11/24]
Image: see original report, p. 91
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 410, filed 7/11/24]
2024: Common Sense California Paid Miles Himmel Nearly $6,000, Which It Reported Was For Literature, IT, And Office Expenses. [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/31/25]
2024: Payments From Common Sense California To Miles Himmel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Statement Period | Payee Name | Code or Description | Amount |
7/1/24 to 12/31/24 Miles Himmel | LIT and WEB | $1,976.70 | |
7/1/24 to 12/31/24 Miles Himmel | WEB | $1,352.75 | |
7/1/24 to 12/31/24 Miles Himmel | LIT | $2,086.20 | |
7/1/24 to 12/31/24 Miles Himmel | OFC | $507.76 | |
Total: $5,923.41 | |||
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/31/25]
NOTE: LIT stood for campaign literature and mailings. WEB stood for information technology costs. OFC stood for office expenses.
2019-2026: Miles Himmel Served As Desmond’s Communications Director On The Board Of Supervisors
As Of May 2026, Desmond’s County Supervisor Website Listed Miles Himmel As His Communications Director. “Miles Himmel | Communications Director Miles comes to us from KFMB-TV & Radio, where he worked for the past five years. His dad was a beloved TV reporter in San Diego for over 35 years. Miles is a native San Diegan, who started a Foundation in memory of his father. The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation helps those in need in San Diego. He’s also the host of the Carols by Candlelight annual concert, which benefits Rady Children’s Hospital. Miles was recently named as a 40 under 40 awardee for his work in the community and has been featured on CNN Headline News for various stories in San Diego. In his free time, Miles loves traveling, spending time with friends/family and with his retired racehorse! If you’re a member of the media, contact Miles who will assist to coordinate. Miles.Himmel@sdcounty.ca.gov.” [Supervisor Jim Desmond, District 5 Team, accessed 5/19/26]
Image: see original report, p. 92
[Supervisor Jim Desmond, District 5 Team, accessed 5/19/26]
According To Miles Himmel’s LinkedIn Profile, Himmel Served As Communications Director For Supervisor Jim Desmond Since March 2019. [Miles Himmel, LinkedIn, accessed 5/19/26]
Image: see original report, p. 93
[Miles Himmel, LinkedIn, accessed 5/19/26]
2025-2026: Desmond’s Congressional Campaign Paid Himmel More Than $29,000, Reportedly For “Reimbursement”
2025-2026: Desmond For Congress Paid Miles Himmel More Than $29,000, Which It Reported With The Description “Reimbursement.” [FEC, Desmond for Congress, accessed 5/19/26]
2025-2026: Payments From Desmond For Congress To Miles Himmel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Date | Recipient | Description | Amount |
1/30/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $3,814.59 |
3/24/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $2,466.95 |
4/28/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $1,211.78 |
6/11/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $2,003.79 |
7/25/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $2,271.93 |
8/26/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $1,331.41 |
10/03/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $1,585.80 |
11/20/25 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $3,014.94 |
1/5/26 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $3,290.94 |
1/26/26 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $2,312.83 |
2/17/26 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $2,269.65 |
3/20/26 | Miles Himmel | Reimbursement | $3,494.46 |
Total: | $29,069.07 | ||
[FEC, Desmond for Congress, accessed 5/19/26]
2024: Desmond’s Local Campaign Committee Gave $1,100 To Common Sense California
2024: Desmond For Supervisor 2022 Gave $1,100 To Common Sense California. [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/30/24]
Image: see original report, p. 94
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/30/24]
2025: Common Sense California Contributed To Southern California Party Committees And Spent Nearly $37,000 In Support Of A Voter ID Ballot Initiative
2025: Common Sense California Contributed To The Republican Parties Of Orange And San Diego Counties And Spent Nearly $37,000 In Support Of A Voter ID Ballot Initiative. [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/28/25; San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/19/26]
2025: Schedule D Summary Of Expenditures By Common Sense California | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Date | Committee | Code Or Description | Amount |
3/22/25 | Republican Party of Orange County | CTB | $500.00 |
4/29/25 | Republican Party of Orange County | CTB | $175.00 |
3/21/25 Republican Party of San Diego County | CTB | $500.00 | |
6/25/25 Republican Party of San Diego County | CTB | $2,750.00 | |
8/5/25 | Initiative 25-0007, 25-0007, State | Lit in support of the Voter ID Initiative $36,876.80 | |
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/28/25; San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/19/26]
NOTE: CTB stood for “contribution (explain nonmonetary).”
2026: Initiative 25-0007 Would Require An ID To Vote. “One issue the League is opposing this year is a California ballot initiative (25-0007) that would require an ID to vote. Currently, voter registration in the state requires someone to self-attest to their own citizenship.” [ABC 10, 3/16/26]
- The League Of Women Voters Of California Opposed The Voter ID Initiative. “‘You are required to be a citizen to vote on the governor, on all the ballot initiatives, for Congress,’ said Jenny Farrell. She’s executive director of the League of Women Voters of California, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for voter education and access. One issue the League is opposing this year is a California ballot initiative (25-0007) that would require an ID to vote. Currently, voter registration in the state requires someone to self-attest to their own citizenship.” [ABC 10, 3/16/26]
2025: Common Sense California Gave Money To A Variety Of Causes, Including Citizens For A Strong Economy And Dan Crenshaw For Congress
2025: Comon Sense California Gave Money To Various Causes, Including Citizens For A Strong Economy And Dan Crenshaw For Congress. [San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/28/25; San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/19/26]
2025: Schedule E Notable Payments By Common Sense California | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Statement Period | Committee | Code Or Description | Amount |
1/1/25 to 6/30/25 | Citizens for a Strong Economy ID#1393539 | OFC | $2,015.40 |
7/1/25 to 12/31/25 Citizens for a Strong Economy ID#1393539 | OFC | $602.00 | |
7/1/25 to 12/31/25 | Dan Crenshaw for Congress | CTB | $999.00 |
7/1/25 to 12/31/25 | Lincoln Club Business League | CVC | $2,000.00 |
7/1/25 to 12/31/25 | Newport Harbor Republican Women | MTG | $250.00 |
[San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 7/28/25; San Diego County, Desmond for Supervisor 2022, Form 460, filed 1/19/26]
NOTE: OFC stood for office expenses. CTB stood for contribution (explain nonmonetary). CVC stood for civic donations. MTG stood for meetings and appearances.
- 2024: Citizens For A Strong Economy Paid $19,000 To the San Diego County Republican Party. [San Diego County, Citizens for a Strong Economy, Form 460, filed 2/22/24]
Image: see original report, p. 95
[San Diego County, Citizens for a Strong Economy, Form 460, filed 2/22/24]