Democrats have struck gold across California

California was by far the Democratic presidential candidates’ most lucrative source of campaign money in 2007, accounting for more than 1 in 5 of the millions of dollars they raised, campaign finance reports show.

But while Democrats found riches in the Golden State, the Republican candidates raised about 10% of their money here, Federal Election Commission records show.

“Think of it as the politics of hunger,” said Dan Schnur, a Republican strategist unaffiliated with any candidate. “The longer it has been since you’ve been to a White House state dinner, the hungrier you are.”

Although public opinion polls in California show a tightening Democratic race, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York easily outraised her rivals in all parts of the state. She took $17.2 million from California last year, compared with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s $14.9 million.

--

GOP hopefuls trail

Republican Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, was a distant third, at $7.8 million. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, now the GOP front-runner, raised $4.6 million as his campaign languished for much of 2007. His lackluster tally suggests he has the potential to tap the state’s Republican wealth this year if he becomes the nominee.

“Republicans are somewhat discouraged. They shouldn’t be,” said Robert M. Stern, president of the nonprofit Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles.

“McCain will run a good campaign” if he becomes the nominee, Stern said. And if Clinton becomes the Democratic standard-bearer, Republican donors will rally and use her as a “big fundraising tool.”

California is known for its Hollywood and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. But campaign data compiled by The Times show that last year lawyers accounted for $5.5 million, more money than any other professional group.

Law firms are particularly valuable to candidates seeking donations under federal rules that cap individual gifts at $2,300. Such firms are tailor-made for “bundling”: They provide candidates with networks of well-paid, politically informed people.

Financial services firms also offer one-stop shops where candidates can quickly pick up six-figure sums.

California-based lawyers at Latham & Watkins raised $156,000, more than any other firm, records show. Clinton collected the most from Latham lawyers, $71,000.

Such figures are minimums; the Federal Election Commission does not require detailed information and candidates regularly omit some of the limited disclosure that is required.

--

Entertainment on top

Obama bested Clinton among Californians who work for entertainment-related companies, $1.13 million to $1.04 million. Altogether, Californians in the entertainment industry gave at least $2.77 million to candidates.

The financial services and investment segments donated $2.7 million, followed by real estate at $2.2 million.

In a state known for small-business owners and entrepreneurs, those who said they were self-employed accounted for $10 million in donations to the candidates. Among the state’s major employers:

* The University of California system appears to have delivered the most money: $353,000. Obama collected $137,000 to Clinton’s $99,000. Stanford University employees provided $155,000 in presidential money: $57,000 to Obama and $38,000 to Clinton.

* California employees of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and its Fox subsidiaries accounted for at least $216,000. Clinton, with $105,000, received the most.

* Google employees gave $190,000. Obama received $113,000, the most from the Internet company’s workers. Employees at Cisco Systems followed with $156,000. Clinton collected $68,000 of that sum.

Californians contributed $65 million to presidential campaigns last year. The next- biggest source was New Yorkers, with $60 million.

Obama reported receiving $505,000 from Santa Barbara County, where talk-show host Oprah Winfrey feted him. The Winfrey event actually generated millions; attendees came from all over the state. Clinton reported $75,000 from the county.

The bulk of California’s money -- 60% -- came from south of the Tehachapis.

--

Local donations

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Century City, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and West Los Angeles accounted for $13.3 million of the candidates’ receipts in 2007.

Los Angeles County delivered $16 million to Democrats, with Clinton taking $8.3 million to Obama’s $5.8 million. Republicans received $6.3 million, with former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani getting $2.5 million, Romney $2 million and McCain $1.3 million. Giuliani has dropped out of the race and endorsed McCain.

Republicans won the money race in Orange County, with $4 million to the Democrats’ $1.6 million. Romney led with $1.5 million. Clinton raised $911,000 -- more than McCain’s $905,000. Obama raised $465,000.

Among cities, San Francisco delivered the most, $5.3 million. Clinton led there with $2.1 million. The San Francisco peninsula, including Silicon Valley, provided an additional $6.04 million for the candidates.

Clinton bested all candidates in the San Joaquin Valley with $265,000; almost $200,000 came from the GOP stronghold of Kern County. Musician Merle Haggard of Bakersfield is one of her strongest backers.

--

dan.morain@latimes.com

Times researcher Maloy Moore and data analyst Sandra Poindexter contributed to this report.