Alarcon Reports Raising $200,000

State Sen. Richard Alarcon reported this week that he has raised $200,000 for his campaign to challenge Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn.

Alarcon, a Democrat from Sylmar, is the third candidate to pass that threshold in a race that is expected to cost each candidate millions of dollars.

Hahn had raised $1.3 million for his reelection by the end of last year.

Challenger Bob Hertzberg, the former Assembly speaker from Sherman Oaks, has raised $700,000, according to his campaign.

Alarcon said the money was “a means to convey a message” but that “the vast majority” of Los Angeles residents “are not going to be able to contribute to anybody ... and yet they have the power to vote.”

Mayoral candidates are required to notify the city Ethics Commission when they reach the $200,000 mark. Alarcon filed his report Wednesday.

Candidates must file formal fundraising reports for the first six months of the year by Aug. 2.

Other candidates in the March election are now scrambling to catch up.

Councilman Bernard C. Parks, the former police chief, held a fundraiser Thursday night and has another planned next week.

His campaign has not yet filed finance reports.

Three years ago, candidates spent a total of more than $18 million in the April election.

Despite the sums, Alarcon said Friday, “This campaign is not going to be about how many rich people you know.

“It’s going to be about the people of Los Angeles,” he said. “And new leadership.”