Spending hits the millions in hottest races for Congress in state

Candidates in the hottest House races in the state are spending millions on their campaigns. But in some cases, groups outside the campaigns are laying out even more, campaign finance reports show.

Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove) has spent nearly $3.6 million trying to fend off a challenge from former Rep. Doug Ose, of Sacramento, who has spent about $2.7 million on his own campaign.

But national political party organizations and other interests have bankrolled a combined nearly $10.4 million to support or oppose Bera and Ose through television ads, mail campaigns or get-out-the-vote efforts.

The spending is detailed in campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

The latest candidate reports, which were due Thursday, covered the reporting period from Oct. 1 through 15, ending just as the races entered the home stretch before the Nov. 4 election. Since then, candidates have been required to report additional contributions of $1,000 or more within 48 hours.

The so-called “independent expenditure” groups must report their activities within 24 or 48 hours. They are “super PACs,” political parties and other interest groups interested in affecting a congressional race’s outcome.

There are limits on how much can be contributed directly to a candidate’s campaign. The independent expenditure groups can spend unlimited amounts but are not allowed to coordinate their activities with a candidate’s campaign.

The Times has compiled an updated list of independent spending in the state’s most competitive races.

Races in which candidates have spent well over $1 million apiece include one in the Bay Area, where former Obama administration official Ro Khanna, a Democrat, spent almost $4.2 million trying to unseat Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose), who reported spending nearly $2.6 million defending his post.

In Southern California, Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego), in a close contest with former city councilman and businessman Carl DeMaio, considered a rising GOP star, spent nearly $3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. But other interests, mainly the two parties, spent a combined $5.4 million on the race.

In another hard-fought race, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), reported spending almost $2.3 million in her re-election campaign against Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), who spent nearly $958,000 and had more than $100,000 cash in on hand.

Outside groups pumped $3.1 million into the race, much of it from Democratic groups spending to oppose Gorell. A Republican group, Congressional Leadership Fund, spent about $374,000 to oppose Brownley, while the conservative American Future fund put about $545,000 into trying to defeat her.

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