Ridley-Thomas gets cash infusion

A union committee reported gathering $3.1 million in the last two months to help state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas win the 2nd District seat being vacated by county Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

With the Nov. 4 election only weeks away, the independent expenditure committee has amassed a total of $7.1 million to help Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) defeat Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks.

As long as an independent group does not coordinate with the candidate it supports, donors can avoid the $1,000 limit that applies to individuals giving directly to a campaign.

The committee, formed by several union locals and called Alliance for a Stronger Community, also reported spending $5.7 million so far on behalf of Ridley-Thomas. The money was used for phone banks, radio advertisements and direct mail, the statements show.

-- Garrett Therolf