Guerra, Mendoza spend big ahead of election

Photo by John Zander

Dr. Alan Frischer was recognized with the Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, an award presented by Mayor Fernando Vasquez to outstanding healthcare professionals. The award was in recognition of Dr. Frischer’s many contributions to the Downey community, including a twice-monthly column in this newspaper that educates readers on local health issues. Dr. Frischer is pictured with his family and the mayor

DOWNEY – New campaign financial statements reveal Downey Councilman Mario Guerra outraised former Assemblyman Tony Mendoza during the first half of October. However, Mendoza outspent Guerra nearly 2 to 1 on campaign literature and mailers. Both are campaigning hard for a state Senate seat in the newly-created 32nd district, which encompasses more than a dozen cities in southeast Los Angeles County and north Orange County.

Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18, Guerra raised $88,229 in monetary contributions, nearly $20,000 more than Mendoza, who took in $66,091.

However, the focus is clearly on expenditures this month as both campaigns shelled out a sum of $366,000 on consultants, airfare, mailers, and fundraising events.

According to the financial reports, Guerra continued to receive most of his contributions from business owners, corporate executives, Republican candidates and PACs.

Some of Guerra’s supporters included: Anthem Blue Cross ($2,000); Bendita ($3,100); First American Title Insurance Company ($4,100); auto dealer Frederick Hitchcock ($2,500); Hollywood Sports Park of Bellflower ($4,100); Aner Iglesias, owner of Baja Ranch Supermarkets ($4,100); LQI Management LLC ($4,100); McDonald’s California Operators PAC ($2,000); Mike Morrell for Senate 2014 ($3,100); and Republican Central Committee of San Luis Obispo County ($25,000).

Since Oct. 1, Mendoza courted donations from state corporations and large PAC groups based in Sacramento, including: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO ($8,200); AT&T California Employees ($1,000); Barona Band of Mission Indians ($1,200); CA Medical Association (CALPAC) ($2,000); CA State Association of Electrical Workers ($8,200); Exxon Mobil Corporation ($2,000); Morley Justman, CEO of Justman Packaging and Display ($1,000); Laborers International Union of North America Laborers Local 652 ($2,000); Rakesh Malhotra, president of Commerce Hyundai ($1,000); and Morongo Band of Mission Indians ($1,000).

Mendoza’s expenditures exceeded $270,000, including salaries, campaign consulting, and political donations to other Democrats running in Southern California. His largest cost was a $155,000 payment to Bullseye Marketing. The Canoga-based company handled literature, mailers, postage and delivery for the campaign.

In comparison, Guerra’s campaign spent $94,499 during the entire 18-day period.

Next Tuesday, Guerra and Mendoza will faceoff for the open seat in the 32nd state Senate district, which encompasses the communities of Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Hacienda Heights, Hawaiian Gardens, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Lakewood, Los Nietos, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Rose Hills, Santa Fe Springs and South Whittier.

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Published: Oct. 30, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 29