WESTSIDE — Campaign receipts in the race to replace retiring Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Santa Monica) now total more than $7 million.
The primary election for the 33rd Congressional District will be held Tuesday.
Marianne Williamson, a best-selling author who's been in the race since before Waxman announced his retirement, leads with $1.66 million.
She's spent nearly $393,000 of her own money on the campaign and has $315,000 on hand as of her last filing in mid-May. More than $1.26 million has come through individual contributions of $2,600 or less, the individual limit.
Former Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel is second in line with $1.05 million raised as of her last filing. Greuel, who lost to Eric Garcetti in last year's Los Angeles mayoral election, has not spent any of her own money. Nearly all of her cash came in through individual contributions.
Greuel has benefited from the most support from outside interests. While individual contributions to candidates' campaigns are capped at $2,600, political action committees that operate independently from the candidates can spend much more.
Women Vote!, a national committed whose treasurer Stephanie Schriock lobbies on behalf of pro-choice candidates, has spent more than $158,000 in support of Greuel mostly through mailers.
Blue America PAC spent $20,000 in support of Williamson's run for office.
Greuel had $186,000 in hand as of mid-May's filing.
State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica) has raised $900,000 but leads the pack in terms of cash on hand. As of mid-May he had more than $452,000 to spend. Lieu loaned himself $55,000 for the election and spent another $5,000.
Last week, the State Senate passed a measure authored by Lieu that, with the support of voters, could urge Congress to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.
The ruling allows outside interests to spend millions in support of candidates.
If it passes the State Assembly, Lieu's measure would place an advisory question on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot, asking voters whether Congress should propose an amendment to the Constitution overturning the supreme court decision.
"We need to send a strong message to Congress that corporations and billionaires must not be allowed to decide our elections," Lieu said. "The voters must have a voice this November."
Matt Miller, a journalist and the KCRW radio host of the political debate show, "Left, Right & Center," has more than $405,000 of the $759,000 that he's raised on hand.
In April, Miller called on politicians to "reduce the corrupting influence of money in politics and policymaking" by, among other things, incentivizing small-dollar contributions.
He urged Congress to make changes that would keep money from defining elections.
"It won't happen if we keep electing politicians who owe their careers to the current system," Miller said.
David Kanuth, a former Los Angeles public defender, has raised $913,000 with $304,000 still on hand. Nearly all of the contributions come from individuals.
A Republican, L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Elan Carr, raised $424,000 as of the last filing.
dave@www.smdp.com
