Garcetti Holds Substantial Fundraising Lead Over Challengers In Mayoral Race
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) - Mayor Eric Garcetti continues to hold a substantial fundraising lead over his 10 challengers in the March 7 primary election, after raising $538,527 in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to figures released Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
Garcetti has raised $2,789,257.15 in total through Dec. 31, compared to $335,706.30 for challenger Mitchell Schwartz, who has raised the second-highest amount. None of the other candidates still in the race have raised more than $3,700.
Incumbents in the City Council races also hold leads in fundraising.
In the 1st Council District, incumbent Gil Cedillo has raised $355,917.24, compared to Joe Bray-Ali at $46,280.40, Giovany Hernandez at $5,275 and Jesse Rosas at $0.
In the 5th Council District, incumbent Paul Koretz has raised $362,375.79, compared to Jesse Creed at $250,593.24, while Mark Herd has not raised any money.
The seat for the 7th Council District is open due to former Councilman Felipe Fuentes stepping down in September to work for a Sacramento lobbying firm.
Twenty people have qualified to run for the seat. Monica Rodriguez leads in fundraising at $213,484.64. The only other candidate to raise at least six figures was Karo Torossian with $186,708.46.
In the 9th Council District, incumbent Curren Price has raised $395,025.73, compared to Jorge Nuno at $78,868 and Adriana Cabrera with no money raised.
In the 11th Council District, incumbent Mike Bonin has raised $413,881.92, compared to Mark Ryavec at $18,431 and Robin Rudisill at $0.
In the 13th Council District, incumbent Mitch O'Farrell has raised $347,350.48, compared to Sylvie Shain at $12,043 and Jessica Salans at $6,165.
Candidates Doug Haines, David de la Torre and Bill Zide all reported raising no money.
In the 15th Council District, incumbent Joe Buscaino has raised $343,737.59, while his two challengers, Caney Arnold, and Noel Gould, reported raising no money.
City Attorney Mike Feuer is running unopposed and has raised $682,091.42.
City Controller Ron Galperin is also running unopposed and has raised $446,838.88.
Incumbent councilman Bob Blumenfield (3rd district) is also running unopposed and has raised $205,262.77.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
