The Buck Stops Here

Money may be the mother’s milk of politics, but who knew there were so many potential moms--and from so far away? In the race to succeed state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Van Nuys), the two Democratic front-runners have raised the vast majority of their campaign war chests outside the San Fernando Valley district.

Remember, the two vying for primary ballots are Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and former state Assemblyman Richard Katz. Both have spent their campaigns portraying themselves as local politicians, with local support. Yet just 18% of Alarcon’s money and 15% of Katz’ money has come from the Valley, according to a Times computer-assisted analysis of campaign statements. The rest comes from transportation companies, developers, labor unions, attorneys and the entertainment industry--traditional sources of political cash.

Only the naive underestimate the power of big money in politics, but politicians need to keep something in mind. All the checks from faraway places won’t much matter June 2 when citizens wield the most powerful currency of all in politics: the vote. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a dime.