Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (D) has nearly twice as much cash on hand as her top opponent, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D), with one month left in the 16-candidate special election race for the state’s vacant 36th district.
Hahn, who announced her bid to succeed former Rep. Jane Harman (D) on Feb. 7, reported raising $275,000 in the first quarter. She spent $104,000 and has $171,000 on hand.
Bowen, who announced a week after Hahn, raised $195,000, spent $102,000 and has $93,000 on hand. In a news release, she took a shot at Hahn’s political connections and subsequent fundraising abilities.
“At the heart of my campaign is the grassroots support — not the political machine of LA City Hall,” Bowen said. “As a member of Congress I will work to create good paying jobs and will be committed only to the people of California, not lobbyists.”
On the Republican side, businessman Craig Huey loaned his campaign $250,000 but raised just $1,727 beyond that. Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin raised $77,000 and had $42,000 on hand, while Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb raised $30,000 and had $11,000 on hand.
They will all face off in the May 17 all-party primary in the Democratic-leaning, Los Angeles County-based district. Unless a candidate takes more than 50 percent of the vote, the two top-performing candidates will advance to a July 12 runoff.
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