Guerra outraises Mendoza in final stretch

DOWNEY − Downey Councilman Mario Guerra, who is vying for a state Senate seat in the 32nd district, continues to outraise his democratic opponent former Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, according to campaign finance statements released on Monday. Between July 1 and Sept. 30, Guerra raised $133,477 in monetary contributions, nearly $37,000 more than Mendoza, who took in $96,046.

With the November election less than a month away, both campaigns also shelled out over $140,000 a piece on consultants, airfare, mailers, and fundraising events.

Guerra and Mendoza have been locked into a tough battle in the 32nd state Senate district, which is overwhelmingly democratic, but voted in support of Guerra during the California primary on June 3.

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

Some of Guerra’s supporters included: Robert Alter, president of Seaview Investors LLC ($2,000); Darius Assemi, CEO of GV Holdings, Inc. ($4,000); Jean Fuller for Senate 2014 ($4,100); Gardena-based Blackstone Gaming, LLC ($1,500); Cartozian Associates Real Estate Inc. ($4,100); Cedric Fong, owner of Square King Foods ($3,500); Richard Garcia, a public relations representative for Vista Communications ($2,630); Honda World ($4,000); Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association SCC ($8,200); and San Rafael-based New Majority California PAC ($4,100).

As a non-monetary donation, Tricities Cal Properties in Downey also provided the Guerra campaign with office space from July 1 until the end of November.

Guerra’s expenditures reached to $143,972 during the three-month period, spent mostly on campaign consultants, literature and workers. Guerra’s campaign now has $77,014 cash on hand, which continues to pale when compared to Mendoza’s coffers.

Due to early fundraising efforts, Mendoza still maintains $396,136 in available funds. Since July 1, Mendoza courted donations from mostly state corporations and large PAC groups based in Sacramento, including: Abbott Laboratories Employee PAC ($2,000); CA State Council of Service Employees SSC ($8,200); City of Industry-based Del Terra Real Estate Service, Inc. ($3,000); Anheuser Busch Companies ($2,000); Anthem Blue Cross ($2,000); Humboldt Redwood Company, LLC ($1,500); International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 PAC ($6,200); Pfizer, Inc. ($1,500); Long Beach Councilman Roberto Uranga ($100); and Wells Fargo and Company Employee PAC ($1,000).

Mendoza’s expenditures, which totaled $142,182, included salaries, campaign consulting, and political donations to other Democrats running in Southern California. In fact, Mendoza donated $34,000 on Sept. 22 to the California Democratic Party.

On Nov. 4, Guerra and Mendoza will faceoff for the open seat in the newly-created 32nd state Senate district, which encompasses Downey and surrounding areas.

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Published: Oct. 9, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 26