Los Angeles Assembly race draws campaign cash from lawmakers

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Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon is trailing in fundraising behind legislative aide and fellow Democrat Raul Bocanegra as they compete for the 39th Assembly District seat being vacated by Felipe Fuentes because of term limits.

Bocanegra, who is Fuentes’ chief-of-staff, raised $417,000 in the last two years, according to a campaign finance report he filed Tuesday. Alarcon, who previously served in the state Senate reported raising $282,000 during that same period ending Dec. 31. Two other candidates have not reported significant fundraising.

Alarcon said he is better known to voters because of his record as an elected official, so he argued Bocanegra faces pressure to raise more money.

The contest has divided L.A. County’s Democratic legislators. Alarcon reported contributors included Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles), while Bocanegra received campaign checks from Fuentes and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) among others.

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Photo: Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon has some catching up to do in fundraising in an Assembly contest with legislative aide Raul Bocanegra. Credit: Los Angeles Times