Russell Leads Galanter 3 to 1 in Fund Raising

City Council President Pat Russell has raised about $375,000, more than three times as much as her challenger, Ruth Galanter, in the June 2 election in the Westside’s 6th District race, campaign officials reported Thursday.

But in the critical final days of campaigning before the election, Galanter had much more cash on hand--$32,735--than Russell, who had $7,133 unspent. Both campaigns, however, have fund-raisers scheduled before the election.

Russell’s campaign report was still being worked on Thursday and was unavailable for public inspection. But Russell spokesman Kam Kuwata reported that the councilwoman has raised about $375,000 this year. She has raised $143,650 of that since the April 14 primary, in which she was forced into a runoff for the first time in her 17-year political career.

Galanter, hospitalized with knife wounds from an attack by an intruder in her home, has raised a total of $107,744, according to her report, about $75,000 of that since the primary.

Under the city’s campaign law, candidates can use only funds raised since the primary for the runoff election, said Assistant City Atty. Shelley Rosenfield.

The law, approved by voters in 1985, also limits contributions in council races to $500 per source. A contributor who gave $500 before the primary can give another $500 before the runoff election.

Galanter, an urban planning consultant and a newcomer to city politics, was one of five candidates who held Russell to 42% of the votes cast in the primary. Russell needed 50% plus one to win outright. Galanter finished second with 29%, earning the right to face Russell in the runoff.

Galanter’s campaign has focused on Russell’s support of huge developments in the district. That was reflected in Galanter’s large number of contributions from environmentalists, including former Coastal Commission Chairman Melvin Nutter.

She also received contributions from Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City), Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude; Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, and several people in the entertainment industry, including actor Ted Danson, actress Carrie Fisher and musician Don Henley.

No itemized report was available for Russell. Kuwata said Russell’s report would be in the mail to the city clerk by Thursday night’s deadline. In the report preceding the primary, Russell received strong support from business and real estate interests.

The costliest race in city history was Michael Woo’s successful 1985 challenge to incumbent Peggy Stevenson. The candidates spent more than $1 million between them for a council job that pays $53,266 a year.