Centrist vs. Liberal Democrats

The toughest, and costliest, legislative races in Tuesday’s primary election are those in which business groups, trial lawyers, unions and other interests are fighting to elect their favorite shade of Democrat.

Insurance companies, dentists, real estate agents and other traditionally moderate businesses have invested nearly $6 million in Assembly and Senate contests. They have outspent public employee unions, trial attorneys and other traditionally liberal donors, who have sunk $3.4 million into campaigns for the candidates of their choice.

The money, spent separately from a candidate’s own campaign, pays for polling, research, mail brochures or advertising.

In a Legislature dominated by Democrats, the number of members who lean one way or the other can make a big difference on consumer and environmental issues.

The business groups, which failed to elect many of their favored Democrats two years ago, are “almost making their last stand to see if they can prevent some of these liberals from taking office,” said Allen Hoffenblum, publisher of the Target Book, which tracks legislative races.

Most districts tend decisively toward one party or the other, so winning the primary election is usually tantamount to taking office.

Republicans in the Legislature typically side with business on matters involving regulation, taxes and the right to sue. When moderate Democrats join them, they wield enough votes to defeat bills carried by more liberal Democrats.

“It’s not so much, ‘Can we get a bill passed that we like and defeat a bill we don’t like?’ It’s more, ‘Can we get in the door and explain ourselves?’ ” said Darry Sragow, a Democratic strategist advising the California Chamber of Commerce on which candidates to back.

The liberal-moderate rivalry is playing out in the Democratic primary for a Bay Area seat now held by Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), who is forbidden by term limits to run for the upper house again.

Consumer attorneys, the California League of Conservation Voters and the state nurses union have banded together to invest more than $345,000 in a campaign against former Assemblyman John Dutra, a real estate company owner.

Dutra supported efforts to overhaul a consumer protection law abused by two Beverly Hills lawyers who sued thousands of Southland restaurants, nail shops and car repair garages. The lawyers exacted settlements from the businesses, many of them owned by immigrants.

On the other side of the fight was Assemblywoman Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), who resisted major changes to the consumer protection law. Like Dutra, she left the Legislature in 2004 after serving a maximum term. She is now running against him in the Democratic primary.

The Civil Justice Assn. of California, funded by a wide array of businesses, has spent $251,000 trying to defeat Corbett.

Ray Boucher, president-elect of Consumer Attorneys of California, said, “They understand very clearly that if they can elect ‘Republicrats’ in the Assembly or Senate, they will have a stronghold for the next eight years.”

Business groups have picked favorites in an L.A. County clash between two Democrats who were once Assembly colleagues.

George Nakano of Torrance, who left the lower house in 2004 after serving the maximum three terms, is running against Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach) for the Senate seat being vacated by Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey).

Hospital owners, real estate agents, doctors, developers, trial lawyers, dentists and others have sunk more than $368,000 into a campaign for Nakano and spent $53,000 against Oropeza.

“You just sort of get a sense after a while of who has the best policy affinity with you,” said Alexander E. Creel, lobbyist for the California Assn. of Realtors, whose members seek lawmakers who support property rights, oppose rent control and are willing to push local governments to build affordable housing.

Senate races often draw more attention from interest groups than Assembly contests, because many candidates for the upper house have already racked up voting records in the Assembly. Fewer groups want to take a chance investing in Assembly candidates, because their political experience tends to be limited, and it’s not always apparent how they’ll vote on key issues.

JobsPAC, headed by the California Chamber of Commerce, has no such qualms. Funded by such businesses as Walt Disney Co., mortgage lender Ameriquest, retailer Target and restaurant owners, JobsPAC has spent $558,000 on research, polling and mailers trying to sway two Democratic primary races for the Assembly.

In the Orange County contest to replace Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Anaheim), JobsPAC has spent $172,700 supporting prosecutor Claudia Alvarez and $71,500 against her opponent, former Santa Ana City Councilman Jose Solorio.

Creel of the Realtors association said his Orange County members have worked with Alvarez, who is also on the Santa Ana City Council, and recommended supporting her.

In the 28th Assembly District, which includes San Benito County, JobsPAC has spent $225,200 touting Salinas Mayor Anna Caballeros’ support for affordable housing and small businesses. JobsPAC has also invested $88,700 opposing contender Ana Ventura Phares, mayor of Watsonville.

Sragow, the JobsPAC strategist, called the Assembly “the farm team.” He added, “You’ve got to take risks and hope that you support somebody who turns out to be moderate.”

By investing in Assembly races, he said, businesses also send the message that they’re watching how candidates vote.