Democrat Betty Yee has cash advantage in controller race
Betty Yee, the Democratic candidate for state controller, has a solid fundraising advantage heading into the home stretch of her campaign, according to new reports.
Yee, a member of the Board of Equalization, had $225,670 in the bank as of Oct. 18. She has spent $1.8 million since the beginning of the year.
Her Republican opponent, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, had $89,686 saved up and has spent $1.1 million since January.
Controller can be an obscure position, with responsibility for managing the state’s cash flow and auditing state and local government. However, the campaign has drawn more attention because Swearengin is considered one of the Republican Party’s best hopes of winning a statewide seat.
Union organizations have spent more than $400,000 to attack Swearengin, plus another $60,000 to support Yee.
Follow @chrismegerian for more updates from Sacramento.
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