The California Legislature is about to welcome one of the largest freshman classes in more than a decade, and special interest groups are spending millions on Democratic-Democratic races in the November elections to help decide which ones will send newcomers to Sacramento.
The independent campaigns funded by giant tech companies, labor unions, law enforcement organizations and other major players in the Capitol could influence the battle between liberal and moderate lawmakers within the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority. The outcome could have a major impact on future laws on climate change and the environment, school and health care financing, criminal justice reform, and the rights of workers and employers.
The stakes are high in four Democrats-versus-Democrats races in Los Angeles, where more than $20 million has poured in from various political action committees looking to boost their favored candidates, campaign finance records show as of Nov. 1 . Here’s who’s active in those districts:
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Jessica Caloza, a former political operative, and Franky Carrillo, an advocate for criminal justice reform, are vying for representation Assembly District 52which includes a swath of northeastern Los Angeles County and part or all of Glendale and East Los Angeles.
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John Yi, a former nonprofit leader, and Mark Gonzalez, the current district director for Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), face off in the Assembly District 54 race, including Westlake, Chinatown, Koreatown and Boyle Heights.
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Sade Elhawary, a career organizer, and Efren Martinez, a small business owner, compete for the Assembly District 57 seats in South Los Angeles.
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Laura Richardson, a former member of Congress, and Michelle Chambers, a community justice advocate and former Compton City Council member, are running for office Senate District 35 in southern Los Angeles County. With more than $7 million spent by independent expenditure committees, the Chambers-Richardson contest is the most expensive Senate election, according to California Target Book, a comprehensive political database.
Here’s a look at how a few big spenders are trying to influence who LA voters send to Sacramento:
Big oil
Who published: Chevron, Phillips 66 and Valero Services Inc. were among the largest funders of the “Coalition to Restore California’s Middle Class, including energy, manufacturing and technology companies that produce gas, oil, jobs and pay taxes.” In total, the committee collected more than $11 million in contributions.
Who did they help: The PAC spent about $700,000 in support of Laura Richardson, with most of the money going to postal workers. Richardson’s campaign said in a statement that it has not had any contact or connection with the independent commission. The PAC spent more than $50,000 on Richardson’s opponent, Michelle Chambers.
“They know I am the only candidate in this race who will stand up for a clean environment, affordable housing and workers’ rights, and they are doing everything they can to stop that — including misleading voters with malicious lies,” Chambers said in a statement .
The PAC also spent more than $275,000 to support Efren Martinez and another $129,000 to Martinez’s opponent, Sade Elhawary.
“Big Oil opposes Sade because she fights for environmental justice,” a spokesperson for Elhawary wrote to The Times.
What they want: Support for the oil industry and its ongoing fight over policies to combat climate change and limit gas price increases, a cause championed by Governor Gavin Newsom. California policymakers have outlined a plan for the state to become carbon neutral by 2045 and ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. With moves to regulate drilling and set new rules for gas prices, fossil fuel companies have rallied. against the measures and even promised to take their case to court.
A Chevron spokesperson wrote in a statement that the company supported candidates from both parties who “share our belief in the importance of free enterprise, a strong economy, a reasonable regulatory regime and responsible energy development.”
Representatives for Phillips 66 declined to comment. Valero did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Trade unions
Who published: Healthcare workers and teachers unions have poured millions of dollars into the campaigns of their favorite candidates.
Who did they help: The unions have donated more than $1 million in support of Michelle Chambers, who has received support from the SEIU California State Council and the California Teachers Assn. Their independent expenditure committees were the biggest spenders in her race against Laura Richardson.
“As someone who grew up in a working-class family, I am very proud to have earned the support of these organizations and I look forward to creating more good-paying jobs and advocating for workers here in this community as our next State Senator. ” Chambers said in a statement.
The unions have also played a key role in opposing her opponent, spending about $2 million on Richardson.
“The heavy spending by groups opposing Laura’s candidacy is fueled by their desire to maintain the status quo and oppose meaningful change,” Richardson’s campaign said in a statement.
The groups also spent about $500,000 in support of Sade Elhawary and more than $1 million for her opponent Efren Martinez.
Opportunity PAC, sponsored by teachers and nurses, and Families & Teachers United also jointly donated nearly $200,000 to Mark Gonzalez. Opportunity PAC spent another $91,000 to oppose its rival, John Yi.
What they want: Unions have achieved major successes in recent years, including better protections for fast-food workers and a minimum wage for medical workers of $25 an hour.
Tia Orr, the executive director of SEIU California, said in a statement that they wanted to support “pro-worker lawmakers” who would advance their goals of raising wages, making health care and housing affordable for families and supporting the right to form a union.
“Working people look for more than a ‘D’ in a candidate’s name; we are looking for candidates like Sade Elhawary and Michelle Chambers who will put the needs of working people and our communities above those of billionaires and corporate profits,” Orr said.
Uber
Who published: Uber made a splash this year by donating $30 million to its California state committee, the Uber Innovation PAC.
Who did they help: Uber spent $306,000 in support of Sade Elhawary.
Uber spent another $278,000 to support Laura Richardson and $278,000 to oppose Richardson’s opponent, Michelle Chambers.
What they want: Uber has lobbied for a handful of tech bills this year that include autonomous vehicles and food delivery platforms. Ramona Prieto, Uber’s head of public policy and communications for the western region, said in a statement that Uber is “empowering thoughtful candidates and campaigns” that she believes are “prepared to take on the tough challenges the state will face in the future.” including electrification, supporting small businesses, and restoring the state’s insurance markets.”
Prison guards and law enforcement
Who published: Independent expenditure committees, funded by correctional officers and law enforcement, spent heavily on these races. These interests have contributed to several PACs, including Tomorrow California PAC, Asian Pacific Islander PAC, We Are One LA, Keep California Golden, and Integrity California, all of which received some of their funding from the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., the largest union of the state. and Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents law enforcement officers.
Who did they help: Integrity California spent $225,000 on mailers and digital ads for Efren Martinez. Martinez supports Proposition 36, the anti-crime ballot initiative that has broad support from law enforcement. A campaign spokesman for Martinez said he joins most voters in his district who also support the measure. We Are One LA, funded by correctional officers, spent $113,000 on counseling and mailers to support Martinez.
Integrity California PAC spent just under $220,000 opposing Martinez’s opponent Sade Elhawary. Elhawary opposes Proposition 36 and, like many who do, is pushing for California to move away from relying on harsher penalties for low-level crimes. PORAC, the police group, supported Martinez’s candidacy.
Integrity California and Keep California Golden spent more than $700,000 opposing Michelle Chambers’ candidacy and Keep California Golden spent just under $500,000 supporting Laura Richardson in their Senate race. PORAC, the police group, supported Richardson’s candidacy.
The Tomorrow California PAC, sponsored by correctional officers, spent just over $1.1 million supporting Jessica Caloza, accounting for half of her campaign’s spending. Her opponent, Franky Carrillo, is an advocate for criminal justice reform and was acquitted of a wrongful murder conviction. His campaign is largely self-funded through a settlement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The Tomorrow California PAC also donated $110,000 to a PAC for Mark Gonzalez entitled Communities United to Elect Mark Gonzalez.
What they want: Prison guards routinely lobby the Legislature on major budget decisions that affect their pay and benefits. They have also lobbied against legislation to limit the use of solitary confinement and grant prisoners more visitation rights.
Nathan Ballard, a spokesperson for the CCPOA, said they want to improve the daily lives of prison staff. “Candidates deserve our support based on whether they support our goals,” he said. These goals include a “laser focus” on “wages, safety, workplace conditions, health care, benefits and professional development for those officers.”
The same goes for law enforcement, which plays an important lobbying role in major policy decisions that also affect prisons and criminal justice reform. Brian Marvel, PORAC’s president, said it thoroughly evaluated each candidate to ensure they aligned with the union’s goals.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
