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Fundraising separating candidates for LA supervisors seats
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas speaks during a press conference on Friday, Nov. 15, 2014. The supervisor is so far running unopposed.
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Fundraising separating candidates for LA supervisors seats
Campaign fundraising is separating out the field shaping up for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors election this year.
Perhaps some of the most powerful political positions in all of Southern California, three of the five supervisor seats will be on the ballot during the June primary election.
Incumbent Mark Ridley-Thomas is so far running unopposed. Seats for District 4 and 5 are up for grabs since longtime Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Don Knabe are termed out.
Those open seats represent areas that include Long Beach and Diamond Bar and a stretch of the county that runs from South Pasadena to Lancaster.
Supervisors earn $189,041 annually and are limited to serving three four-year terms.
More than a dozen candidates are vying for the District 4 and 5 spots. According to campaign finance filings released this week, recent top fundraisers include City Councilman Mitchell Englander and state Sen. Robert Huff who are running for Antonovich's seat.
Huff's backers include Blue Shield of California and California Retailers Association. Both entities contributed through Taxpayers for Bob Huff for Assembly 2016. Cigarette and tobacco company Philip Morris was also among Huff's many contributors.
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Englander's supporters include local businesses and Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Elan Carr, Antonovich's chief of staff Kathryn Barger and Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian are also running competitive fundraising efforts.
In the competition to succeed Knabe, Congresswoman Janice Hahn is in the strongest position with more than triple the contributions of her opponents for the latest filing period. Among her backers is Eli Broad, philanthropist and charter school expansion proponent.
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