SAN FERNANDO VALLEY : Picus Challenger Raises $50,000

Displaying early financial strength, Laura Chick, 48, has raised $50,000 for her campaign to unseat her ex-boss, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus, in this spring’s election.

Chick made the disclosure in a report filed Monday with the city’s Ethics Commission. She is the first of six candidates for the District 3 seat, including the 62-year-old Picus, to report reaching this financial benchmark.

Under the city’s ethics law, council candidates must disclose to the commission when they raise $50,000 or more.

Picus is seeking election to a fifth term on the council.

Chick, a field deputy in Picus’ office from 1988 until 1991, declared her intention to raise money for the District 3 race on Oct. 5. The declaration is required before funds may be solicited. Picus made her fund-raising declaration in July.

Picus spent about $265,000 on her 1989 campaign when she narrowly won election with 52% of the vote against five challengers. Running second with 18% of the vote was Peter Ireland, who spent $30,000 on his campaign.