Miller Tops Spending of 6 Opponents in Senate Race : Politics: Diamond Bar councilman has paid out $309,774, far more than any rival in special election to fill the seat vacated by Frank Hill.

With a special election less than a week away, Diamond Bar Councilman Gary Miller has reached deep into his own pocket to outspend his six opponents--including Assemblymen Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia) and Paul Horcher (R-Diamond Bar)--in the race to fill the state Senate seat from which Frank Hill recently resigned.

Miller, a wealthy Republican businessman, has spent $309,774 campaigning for the Sept. 13 special election, according to a campaign disclosure statement filed last week. His wife, Cathleen C. Miller, a co-owner of the family real estate business, loaned the campaign $350,000. Miller also reported contributions of $2,400.

Mountjoy reported spending $123,888 and raising $94,072, while Horcher spent $95,205 against contributions of $73,894.

The lone Democrat in the race, Sandra K. Hester, a former aide to Rep. Matthew G. Martinez (D-Monterey Park), has been unable to raise much money to compete with her Republican opponents. She reported spending and contributions of about $11,000.

The three other candidates vying to fill the remaining two years of Hill’s term also were far behind in the race for campaign dollars. Libertarian Matthew J. Piazza raised $2,330 and spent $1,178, while Republican Edward D. Ortell and Green Party candidate Walter R. Sheasby III reported contributions and expenditures of less than $1,000.

A Republican is expected to win the seat because Republicans account for 45.7% of the district’s voter registration, compared with 41.5% for the Democrats.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in next week’s special election, the top finishers from each party will compete in a runoff Nov. 8.

A runoff is likely because Mountjoy, Horcher and Miller are expected to split the Republican vote.

The special election was called when Hill resigned from his seat July 8 after a federal jury found him guilty of extortion, money laundering and conspiracy.

The 29th District includes all or parts of Arcadia, Bradbury, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, Industry, La Canada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, Temple City, Walnut, West Covina and Whittier.

Mountjoy’s 59th Assembly District, which he has represented since 1978, covers the northern half of the Senate’s 29th District. Horcher’s 60th Assembly District covers the southern half of the Senate district.

Miller has fulfilled expectations that he would use his considerable personal wealth to mount a strong campaign. Early in the race, Mountjoy groused that Miller would try to buy the Senate seat.

But the veteran legislator has a trump card of his own. Mountjoy’s campaign has less money than Miller’s, but several political action committees that oppose tax increases, gun control and abortion are spending plenty on mailers supporting Mountjoy.

One of those PACs, the California Conservative Opportunity Society, reported spending $30,430, to send out at least two mailers in support of Mountjoy. The Fund for a Responsible Legislature and the California ProLife Council PAC also put out mailers urging voters to support him. Campaign disclosure statements for those PACs were not immediately available.

The support has prompted Miller to step up his efforts to promote himself as a candidate who is not beholden to special interests. He has sent out a barrage of mailers to forge an image as an outsider who will shake up the Sacramento political Establishment.

“When you start taking $25,000 or $30,000 from a group to do mail for you, nobody gives that without expecting something in return,” Miller said. “I’m not running against Dick Mountjoy. I’m running against a whole bunch of special interests.”

Mountjoy counters that the PAC money does not compromise his integrity, that the PACs are supporting him because of his reputation as a staunchly conservative legislator.

“Those are people who agree with my position on taxes,” said Mountjoy, who won his seat in 1978 campaigning as a strong supporter of the tax-slashing Proposition 13. “They want legislators who don’t raise taxes, that protect the Constitution.”

Horcher’s campaign has been low-key so far, raising questions about whether he lacks money or is saving a knockout punch for the final days of the campaign.

“It’s a scrappy grass-roots campaign,” said Horcher, who has the endorsement of the California Teachers Assn. “They may say they’re outgunning us. We’re competitive and we’re picking up steam.”

Surveys funded by Mountjoy, his supporters and Miller indicate that Mountjoy is leading Miller and Horcher.

But readings on the size of that lead vary considerably, with Mountjoy ahead of Miller by as much as 18% and as little as 1%. Horcher and Hester were just behind Miller, according to one survey.

Now in the final week of the campaign, Mountjoy continues to tout his 16 years of legislative experience and ultra-conservative credentials. Mountjoy is a strong supporter of the “Save Our State” Proposition 187, which would cut educational, medical and other benefits to illegal immigrants if approved by voters in November.

Horcher and Miller said they also support denying most public benefits to illegal immigrants to save the state money, but they fear provisions of the measure--such as denying schooling to children--will tie up the measure in court for years.

Horcher, a moderate, presents himself as a legislator who, unlike the conservative Mountjoy, is willing to compromise. Horcher vows to strengthen law enforcement across the state if elected.

Miller, a Diamond Bar City Council member since 1989, is campaigning as a candidate who will cut bureaucratic red tape to encourage new business in California and to retain existing business.

Hester, who ran for the seat in 1992 but lost to Hill, is opposed to Proposition 187 and favors enforcing current immigration laws. Hester also proposes to boost the state’s economy by using federal grants to bring recyclers and other environmental industries to California.

Hester is hoping voters who declined to state a party affiliation--about 10% of those in the district--will support her.