ELECTION 2014: Campaign Cash Piling Up In 32nd State Senate Race

Former Assemblyman Tony Mendoza still leads candidates running for the 32nd State Senate District in fund raising. Randy Economy Photo

More than $1.5 million dollars in campaign cash has already poured into the race for a Norwalk-Downey-Cerritos area state senate race, with more than three months left until voters head to the ballot box in the June 3 California Primary Election.
The campaign has already attracted four well known hopefuls including former Assembly Members Tony Mendoza and Sally Havice, Downey City Councilman Mario Guerra and Whittier School Board Member Irella Perez.
According to disclosure statements filed last week with election officials in Sacramento Mendoza raised just shy of $1 million during the past 12 months into his campaign war chest.
Mendoza had raked in $995,561.88 in contributions and had spent $336,227.55 as of December 31, 2013. Records show that Mendoza had $681,260.79 in cash heading into the final three month period before the pivotal open primary vote.
Guerra, who is a business owner and a member of the Downey City Council, had raised $335,257.70, and $195,589.27 in expenses and $183,683.62 cash in the bank.
Perez, making her first bid for state office pulled in $100,445.00 and did not have any declared expenses or campaign debts.
Havice, a former State Assembly Member and ABC Unified School Board Member had raised around $9,000 mostly in small donations of less than $100 from a number of supporters.
Guerra campaign consultant John Thomas told HMG-CN that “it is significant to note that nearly 80% of Guerra’s money was raised locally, unlike other candidates who have raised substantial sums from lobbyists and special interests in Sacramento.”
“It is also important that this figure does not include any money from previous election cycles, unlike some of Guerra’s competitors – who carried over funds from previous races, including losing races,” Thomas said directing his comments directly towards Mendoza.