Alarcon Outspent Katz in Bitter Senate Race

Victorious state Senate candidate Richard Alarcon outspent Democratic rival Richard Katz by about $43,000 in the months before the hard-fought June 2 primary, according to financial reports released Monday by the candidates.

Alarcon, a Los Angeles city councilman who beat Katz by just a handful of votes, reported $823,657 in campaign expenditures between January and June, according to financial summaries provided by his campaign. That’s about 5.5% more than the $780,684 Katz reported spending in the same period.

The candidates were required to file information about campaign contributions and expenditures with the California secretary of state on Friday, said Alarcon spokeswoman Annette Castro.

Both candidates have continued to raise funds to retire debts from the campaign.

Alarcon went further into debt and owes about $144,000. Katz reported about $99,000 in debts.

Alarcon also will continue to raise money in preparation for the November vote.

Republican Ollie McCauley is running against Alarcon for the 20th District state Senate seat in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, but faces an uphill battle in the strongly Democratic district.

The Alarcon-Katz race ended with Alarcon winning the Democratic nomination by just 27 votes. A recount, paid for by Katz, was called off after days of counting failed to change the results, but Katz is still pursuing a lawsuit against Alarcon, challenging his election.