Some Out-Raising Challengers by 10-to-1 : Incumbents Have Financial Edge in State Races

Signaling a potentially tough reelection fight for Assemblywoman Lucy Killea (D-San Diego), her Republican challenger out-raised Killea by nearly 2-to-1 over the last two months, campaign finance reports show.

Earl Cantos Jr.’s financial edge over Killea, however, was the exception rather than the rule in San Diego County’s state legislative races, as other incumbents easily eclipsed their potential opponents in fund-raising, often by ratios of 10-to-1 or more.

Although Cantos raised $24,294.26 compared to Killea’s $13,705.13 during the March 18 to May 17 period covered by the financial reports, the two-term assemblywoman maintains an overall 1986 fund-raising lead over her Republican challenger--$39,443.40 to $29,039.21.

In addition, Killea’s recent contributions, combined with funds she raised last year, left her with a surplus of $33,556.24 in her campaign treasury as of May 17, compared to only $2,819.87 for Cantos.

However, Cantos’ ability to out-raise Killea during the two-month period covered in the financial reports appears to reinforce Republican strategists’ prediction that Killea will be tested more seriously this year than in her two previous comfortable victories in the 78th Assembly District. Both candidates are unopposed in their parties’ June 3 primaries.

“I believe this shows that my campaign is being taken very credibly,” said Cantos, a former consultant to the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the son of retired Municipal Court Judge Earl Cantos Sr. “You usually expect an incumbent to raise more than a challenger, so I’m very, very pleased.”

Killea could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

GOP leaders’ hopes for Cantos’ prospects also have been bolstered by the fact that an aggressive voter registration drive has eliminated a small registration edge previously held by the Democratic Party in Killea’s district. Republicans now make up 43.1% of the district’s 180,306 registered voters, compared to 42.9% for the Democrats, figures from the county registrar of voters show.

However, Killea, a former San Diego councilwoman, has been popular with independents and Republicans throughout her political career.

A far different fund-raising story exists in the other local legislative races. With their campaign treasuries fattened by funds left over from previous races and contributions from political action committees, other incumbents have built huge financial advantages over their challengers:

- In the 74th Assembly District, incumbent Robert Frazee (R-Carlsbad) had a surplus of $35,846.21 in his campaign treasury as of May 17. In 1986, Frazee has raised $27,160 and spent $20,204.66. Frazee will face Libertarian Don Ellis in November.

- In the 75th Assembly District, Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encinitas) has raised $44,218.87 and spent $33,203.85 this year, the reports show. The two-term incumbent, who will be unopposed in November unless Democratic write-in candidate Michael Lasky qualifies for the ballot in next week’s primary, had a balance of $26,371.11 in her treasury.

- In the 76th Assembly District, Bill Bradley (R-San Marcos) has out-raised by 10-to-1 the two Democrats seeking to oppose him. Bradley’s financial report shows that he has raised $22,092.13, spent $17,875.99 and had a cash balance of $36,044.77 as of 10 days ago. In contrast, businesswoman Alice Keyser has raised $2,209.70, spent $1,890.26 and had a campaign debt of $1,485.08; labor-management administrator Bob White raised $5,714.47, spent $2,279.28 and had a balance of $3,428.66.

- In the 77th Assembly District, Larry Stirling (R-San Diego) has easily outdistanced his Democratic rival, lawyer Bill Smelko. The reports show that Stirling has received $103,589.68 in contributions, spent $75,456.57 and had a balance of $38,421.40 as of May 17. Stirling’s campaign also reported debts totaling $3,128.02. Smelko raised $7,275.50, spent $8,022.14 and had a debt of $1,474.58.

- In the 79th Assembly District, Peter Chacon (D-San Diego) has raised $32,745 and spent $31,955 in preparation for his fall reelection race against the Rev. Robert Ard, a Republican. Chacon had a $7,141 surplus in his treasury as of May 17. Ard’s financial report showed contributions of $8,237, expenses of $5,980 and a balance of $1,650.01.

- In the 80th Assembly District, Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista) has raised more than double the amount garnered by the two Republicans seeking their party’s nomination--National City businessman Tom DuBose and political consultant Jay Martin. The report shows that Peace had raised $84,896, spent $72,030 and had a balance of $19,356 in his campaign for a third two-year term. DuBose had raised $31,386.12, spent $21,922.05 and had a campaign debt of $13,612.12; Martin had raised $4,300 and had spent $2,100.

- In the 40th Senate District, Wadie Deddeh (D-Bonita) reported a surplus in his campaign treasury that is more than 100 times that of his two potential Republican opponents combined. Deddeh reported contributions totaling $59,661, expenses of $89,215.84 and a campaign balance of $136,302.68--totals that overwhelm those of his two relatively weak GOP opponents in every category.

San Diego Police Lt. William M. Hoover has raised $1,510, spent $1,191 and had a balance of $319. Muriel Watson, a former Border Patrol union spokeswoman, received $1,803.75 in contributions, spent $780.25 and had a balance of $998.02.

- In the 38th Senate District, the finance report of William Craven (R-Oceanside), who will face Libertarian Betsy Mill in November, was not available at the registrar’s office Tuesday.