Valley Legislators Far Outpace Challengers in Political Fund Raising

Well-fortified state lawmakers in the San Fernando Valley area have raised dozens or even hundreds of times more campaign dollars than their challengers for the Nov. 8 election.

Among recent contributions to incumbents were a total of $40,500 from the Assn. of the California Insurance Companies political action committee. This includes $13,000 to state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia), who sits on the Senate Insurance, Claims and Corporations Committee.

Meanwhile, three Valley Democrats, apparently confident of their November prospects, have contributed heavily to hotly contested primaries elsewhere in the state. Assemblymen Tom Bane of Tarzana, Richard Katz of Sepulveda and Terry B. Friedman of Tarzana gave a combined $177,114 to three Democratic primary candidates, all of whom are expected to support embattled Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco).

Campaign Reports

This information was drawn from the candidates’ most recent public campaign statements, which were due in the secretary of state’s office by July 31, and from interviews. The reports cover fund raising and spending activity from May 22 through June 30.

The picture that emerges underlines the imposing task facing the challengers. Most seek to raise enough money to send voters the waves of campaign mail that political professionals consider essential to upset an incumbent.

For instance, Katz, whose conservative-leaning 39th District is coveted by Republicans, reported that he had $168,202 on hand, despite contributing generously to other primary races. Meanwhile, Republican Jim Rendleman, a Granada Hills attorney, reported raising $18,740. He had $643 available and debts of $11,451 as of June 30. He says he hopes to raise $150,000.

Katz, however, downplayed the disparity, predicting that the Republican Assembly leadership would still bankroll Rendleman’s bid.

Fund Transfers

“The Republicans always transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in October and November so I don’t pay much attention to these reports,” said Katz, who quashed well-financed GOP efforts in 1986 and 1984. “I’m still going to run a full race in November.”

The gap between incumbents and challengers is even more pronounced in other Valley districts. In the 19th Senate District, Davis reported raising $91,587 this year and had $230,365 on hand June 30. His opponent, Newhall insurance broker Andrew Martin, said this week, “I haven’t raised a penny yet.” He said he did not know whether he will spend anything.

Bane, one of the Assembly’s most prolific fund-raisers, reported raising $591,347 this year and ending the recent reporting period with $508,556 available. His 40th District Republican opponent, Bruce Dahl, said he raised $8,357 in the past year and had $2,000 available on June 30.

In the 36th District, Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) had $127,985 on hand; Democrat George Webb II, a Moorpark attorney, said he has not done any fund raising and plans to spend about $3,000. In the 37th District, Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) reported $142,069 in cash and $75,000 in other assets; Democrat Jeffrey H. Marcus, a Chatsworth lighting and sales consultant, said he has raised $350.

In the 38th District, Assemblywoman Marian W. La Follette (R-Northridge) had $137,800 in cash and $30,000 in other assets; Democrat Mark Lit of Northridge reported no contributions and $10 on hand. He reported lending his campaign its entire $1,309 treasury. In the 43rd District, Assemblyman Friedman had $99,111 available; Republican Tom Franklin, a Beverly Hills attorney, reported raising $2,974 this year and had $2,267 on hand.

Martin, Webb and Dahl had not filed the required campaign reports by the July 31 deadline, said Esther Bates of the secretary of state’s office.

Two other Valley lawmakers are not up for reelection this year. State Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) reported he had $699,963 in his two campaign committees and another $100,246 in outstanding loans and other assets. State Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) reported $17,647 on hand but is focusing his fund raising on his high-stakes challenge to Rep. Robert Lagomarsino (R-Ventura).

Insurance Donations

The largest single contributions during the recent reporting period were made by the Assn. of the California Insurance Companies PAC. Among Valley lawmakers, La Follette received $7,000; McClintock, $6,000; Wright, $5,500; Katz, $5,000, and Hart, $4,000.

Davis had previously received $2,500 from the PAC in January to bring his 1988 total to $15,500. He said the $2,500 was an October, 1987, contribution that someone who was to give the check to Davis “inadvertently left in a desk drawer” for several months. Davis would not identify the person.

Robbins, who chairs the Senate Insurance, Claims and Corporations Committee, said he has refused to accept contributions this year from the insurance industry or trial lawyers “until we do something about bringing down insurance rates.” He was among the top recipients of money from insurance companies last year.

George W. Tye, executive manager of the insurance companies’ PAC, said contributions were based on lawmakers’ support for the industry’s positions or a desire to maintain access to them. He said the PAC has stepped up contributions in recent years, reflecting “the increased level of debate over insurance issues” as well as higher campaign spending by the trial lawyers, the insurance industry’s major adversary.

Challenge to Speaker

The large amounts contributed by Valley Democrats to primary campaigns elsewhere apparently were spurred by the challenge Brown faces from five dissident Democrats. Bane and Katz are closely allied with Brown.

Bane gave $88,543, primarily for staff salaries, to community college trustee Joe Baca’s unsuccessful insurgent bid to oust Assemblyman Gerald R. Eaves (D-Rialto). Eaves is a member of the anti-Brown “Gang of Five.” Katz gave Baca $5,000 as well.

Bane also contributed $24,210 to Norwalk attorney Robert D. Epple, a Brown-backed candidate who spent $600,000 to win the Democratic nomination in the 63rd Assembly District. Katz gave Epple $28,952 in monetary and staff assistance and stumped for him in the campaign’s last days.

Friedman contributed $30,000 to Willard H. Murray Jr.’s successful bid for the Democratic nomination in the 54th Assembly District in Los Angeles. Murray is expected to back Brown if elected.

Campaign Finance Reforms

Bane also spent $50,000 on the campaign to defeat Propositions 68 and 73, the two campaign finance reform measures. Both were passed by voters in June; Proposition 73’s provisions will take effect wherever the laws overlap because it received more votes.

Under Proposition 73, Robbins and all other lawmakers will have to spend their campaign funds before Jan. 1 or be prohibited from using any of the money for future political campaigns. Robbins already has spent heavily this year, including $142,611 between May 22 and June 30, according to his reports.

He paid $80,000 to Consumers Communications Consultants of Panorama City to update his computer voting lists. He spent another $12,500 for a public-opinion poll. Robbins, who has expressed a desire to run for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors if an opening becomes available, said he surveyed residents in the 5th Supervisorial District shortly before the June primary.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich faces his predecessor, Baxter Ward, in what is expected to be a hotly contested November runoff. Robbins has vowed not to oppose Antonovich.

Robbins declined to disclose the questions on the survey or any insights he gleaned from it. He said he has not shared the results with anyone, including Antonovich.