Friedman, Portantino outpace their respective counterparts in state, county races

With just days until the election on Tuesday, Glendale Councilwoman Laura Friedman has again outfundraised her opponent, City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, in their bid for the 43rd District seat in the state Assembly.

During the brief filing period, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 22, Friedman reported receiving $160,465 in campaign contributions, which included $2,208 in non-monetary contributions — a fundraising event at the home of Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine and another fundraising engagement hosted by Pasadena Councilman Steve Madison, according to the Secretary of the State’s financial records.

Friedman and Madison both serve on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, which oversees the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

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Meanwhile, Kassakhian reported getting $125,423 in contributions during that same period. He had no non-monetary contributions.

Friedman and Kassakhian are vying to succeed Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale), who is termed out of that office.

The Glendale councilwoman also outspent her opponent, shelling out $293,146 during the roughly one-month period, mainly on campaign mailers. Friedman reported having $119,745 left in her war chest.

Kassakhian, who had $249,646 to use during that period, nearly emptied out his campaign fund, spending $173,973 — mainly on consultants and postage for mailers. That left the city clerk with $75,672 at the end of the filing period.

Parke Skelton, Friedman’s campaign consultant, said they are “cautiously optimistic” as the clock winds down to election day.

“Our response in the field is good,” Skelton said. “We feel like we’re out-communicating Ardy and I feel like we’re in pretty good shape.”

Kassakhian and Larry Levine, a campaign consultant for Kassakhian, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Portantino vies with Antonovich

The race for the seat in the state 25th Senate District is also heating up, as former state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino outfundraised and out-spent Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich during the same filing period.

Portantino reported receiving about $1.2 million in total contributions from Sept. 25 to Oct. 22 — $430,305 in cash donations and $808,935 in non-monetary contributions from the California Democratic Party, according to the Secretary of the State’s financial records.

Meanwhile, Antonovich reported receiving $417,089 in campaign contributions during the one-month filing period — $248,032 in cash donations and $169,057 in non-monetary contributions, mainly from the California Republican Party.

The two candidates are looking to succeed Sen. Carol Liu, (D-La Cañada), who is termed out.

During the last filing period, Portantino incurred more than $335,000 of outstanding debt, which was more than any other candidate running for the state legislature had amassed. Portantino reported spending $658,144 during the current filing period and ended with $98,273 in debt.

On the other hand, Antonovich spent $337,660 during the current filing period and ended with $70,650 in debt.

Portantino heads into the election with $211,799 in his war chest, edging out Antonovich’s sum of $151,713.

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Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio