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Candidates' fundraising tops $7 million
Strickland, Jackson race is being watched by both parties
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More from Local election newsThe candidates in the 19th Senate District campaign have now raised more than $7 million combined, campaign finance reports filed Thursday show.
In what could be the most expensive legislative campaign in California history, Republican Tony Strickland has taken in $4.3 million, and Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson has raised $2.7 million.
Thursday's reports, which cover the period from Oct. 1 to 18, show that each raised nearly $1 million in less than three weeks.
Late contribution reports filed this week show that the two have combined to take in an additional $348,500 since Sunday.
Other reports filed Thursday show that independent expenditure groups have topped the $1 million mark in spending, putting the combined total resources dedicated to this campaign at $8 million and counting.
As of Sept. 5, there were 482,652 voters in the 19th district, which covers most of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The district is the only competitive Senate race of the 20 districts being contested in California this fall.
Because of that, it has become the central focus of both political parties and interest groups across the state.
The reports show that Strickland has maintained an edge in every category — total contributions, money taken in this year and contributions during the most recent reporting period. He also has spent more than Jackson in every time period.
Counting contributions raised in 2007, Strickland has now taken in $4,316,007. Jackson's total receipts are $2,703,152.
Through Oct. 18, Strickland had spent $2,984,539 and Jackson's expenditures totaled $2,585,649.
Posted by KatieTeague on October 24, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is ALOT of money! I haven't seen the TV ads, heard very few of the radio spots but my neighbors and I sure have been receiving tons of direct mail pieces. Memorable are HBJ's comic book of TS's special interest payments and yesterday's flyer on her kidnapping Elvis and taxing puppies. Today the LA Times endorsed her. I suspect that will be in the next flyer.
I wish TS would stop citing the News Press editorial - they don't have any credibility in SB or Ventura County. And the Californians for Jobs and Education IEC need to upgrade - they are sending out cheapo mailers. The message is we will get cheapo leglislation - not what TS intends I'm sure.
Posted by NightLight on October 24, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know I've said this before but even in the worst of times, it always seems there are millions of dollars available for political fundraising. It's too bad at least some of that money can't be used to solve the actual problems these candidates are being elected to address. At least I guess it helps the local economy with the money going to local printers, radio stations, etc. I do wish they could find a more effective method than thousands of mailers that most people don't read.
Posted by Bud_Bundy on October 24, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's amazing how hard Strickalnd can work to raise funds to remain on the taxpayers payroll. It's too bad he has never worked so hard in a real job. In fact I don't think he has ever held a real job like the rest of us. Him and his wife just sponge off the taxpayers by getting elected to dogcatcher or any other elected job than they can find. They are both leeches of the hardworking taxpayers who work real jobs. Something they know nothing about.
As a hard core Republican who always votes party lines, I have one exception. I NEVER vote for a Strickland. If they enjoy living on public welfare so much maybe they should move to New Orleans. They'd fit right in there.
Posted by moondoggie on October 24, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Phony-Tony should be a registered lobbyist. He is good. For a guy with only limited education, he has a good head on his shoulders for raising money and doing favors for his benefactors. In political circles, it's called pay to play. While it is illegal, it does show that you don't need an education to handle millions of dollars of other people's money. After all, the mafia has always been good at raising and managing money.
Posted by elephantpower on October 24, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know the details as to why Jackson wanted "out" of defending a young woman in an incest case? Jackson started the defense, wanted out, judge told her to continue, she did a poor job, the girl was forced to pay court costs to her dad, who was the defendant. Or so the story goes. Was this woman lying? Was she a victim that H-B didn't/couldn't defend properly?
Anybody know about why 2 thugs showed up on Oct 11th in the woman's driveway and told her she better shut up about going public with saying she wanted an apology from Jackson? If this is all true, the GOP needs to interview her ASAP, and then pay for a trip out of state, to protect her, until after the election. Dark stuff out there.
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