Funds Gap Is Closing in 2 Council Contests

Less than two weeks before the election, the fund-raising race has tightened in two key Los Angeles City Council contests, according to disclosure statements filed with the city Thursday.

In northeast Los Angeles’ 14th District, former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa raised $241,800 during January and February for his bid to unseat Councilman Nick Pacheco.

Pacheco raised far less during the reporting period but maintains an overall edge.

Villaraigosa has reported raising a total of $362,746 since he entered the race in November.

Pacheco, meanwhile, reported raising $70,177 over the last two months, while personally lending $20,000 to his campaign.

However, Pacheco brought in $339,768 last year, bringing his total to $429,945.

“The fund-raising is an indication of widespread grass-roots support for Antonio Villaraigosa and a clear shift in momentum away from Pacheco,” said Steve Barkan, a campaign advisor to the former legislator. “We’re very pleased.”

The city election is March 4.

In the mid-city’s 10th Council District, legislative deputy Martin Ludlow, who has strong labor support, took a slight lead in fund-raising over Deron Williams, an aide to incumbent Nate Holden.

Ludlow reported $297,000 in contributions and city matching funds as of Feb. 15, compared with the $291,500 taken in by Williams.

Other candidates in the 10th District include former Assemblyman Rod Wright, who has brought in $189,000; minister Madison Shockley with $135,000; and attorney Leo Terrell, who has raised $90,000.

Ludlow has also benefited from more than $85,000 in independent expenditures supporting him by labor groups, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor’s political arm.

Ludlow is former political director for the federation.

Meanwhile, former Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, widely considered the front-runner in the open 8th District race, reported raising $16,950 so far this year, bringing his total since entering the race to $410,807.

In the 12th Council District representing the northwest San Fernando Valley, council deputy Greig Smith continued to lead the field of six candidates in fund-raising, bringing in $341,000 in contributions and matching funds as of Feb. 15.

Other candidates in the 12th District include school board member Julie Korenstein, with $104,000 in contributions and city matching funds, and former Assemblywoman Paula Boland, with $94,000.