Sanchez Raised More Campaign Funds Than Dornan

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) raised $823,110 in her uphill battle to defeat Republican Robert K. Dornan, who collected $674,983, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Sanchez, who beat Dornan by 984 votes, spent every dime she raised--and then some--while Dornan still has $113,632 in his campaign account.

The final spending reports are required by law and were delivered to the FEC this week. They include money raised after the election, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31, as well as year-end totals for 1996.

A hefty portion of the money Sanchez spent was her own. A successful financial advisor in the private sector before entering politics, Sanchez loaned her campaign $117,000 prior to the November election. Her campaign has repaid all but $19,000.

Sanchez’s report says her campaign raised $25,115 after the election and has a remaining debt of $35,813.

Political action committees contributed much of the money Sanchez raised during this period.

She received a total of $22,500 from political action committees representing such interests as labor and education. Single-issue groups concerned with gun control, abortion rights and AIDS research also made substantial contributions.

During the past year, PACs contributed a total of $252,911 to Sanchez’s election effort. The rest of her funds came from individuals.

What Dornan will do with the $113,632 still in his campaign coffers remains to be seen.

By law, he cannot convert the sum to personal use, according to the FEC. It may be given to charity or a political party, or may remain in his own campaign account for another election bid.

Dornan could not be reached for comment. According to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, he is traveling to Israel. He is also negotiating a contract for a radio talk program, the newspaper said.

Dornan reports raising $73,353 during the final month of the year, more than half coming from contributions that do not have to be itemized because they are less than $100.

His campaign does itemize $26,484 in contributions from individuals, most of whom live outside the state. Less than $4,000 is itemized as coming from individuals living in Orange County and neighboring areas.

Dornan continues a challenge against Sanchez, alleging that voter fraud took place during the election. He has filed a complaint with the House Oversight Committee, and both Dornan and Sanchez have “recount” funds to handle the complaint.

Contributors of such funds need not be reported unless they are PACs.

Because Democrats have yet to be appointed to the oversight committee, no action has been taken on Dornan’s complaint.