Guerra outraising Mendoza in senate race

DOWNEY − Downey councilman Mario Guerra, who is running for an open seat in the 32nd state Senate district against former Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, has outraised his Democratic opponent since the June primary, according to campaign financial statements released last Thursday. During the period between May 18 and June 30, Guerra raised $61,155 in monetary contributions, nearly $15,000 more than Mendoza, who took in $46,275.

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

On election night, Guerra, a Republican, received 43.7 percent of the vote (21,249 votes) while Mendoza received 32 percent (15,561 votes).

Both campaigns claimed victory. Mendoza cited low voter turnout in defense of his loss, but the Artesia native expects to win a runoff with Guerra in November. Guerra is hoping his bipartisan support is enough to lead him to a landmark victory in the district.

According to the financial reports, Guerra pulled in the bulk of his donations from a panoply of sources, including local business owners, corporate executives, Republican candidates and PACs.

Some of Guerra’s biggest supporters included: Republican Assemblyman Don Wagner ($2,000); Taxpayers for Bob Huff – Assembly 2016 ($4,100); Tierra Verde Industries ($2,500); Stanford University physicist Charles T. Munger Jr. ($4,100); McDonald’s California Operators PAC ($1,000); Independent Insurance PAC ($4,100); Friends of Mimi Walters for Senate 2012 ($4,100); Downey Nissan ($4,100); Andy Eklor, CEO of Ebus, Inc. ($1,000); and Los Angeles-based CAPG Physician Group PAC ($4,100).

Guerra’s expenditures reached $40,639 during the month-long period, spent mostly on campaign consultants, literature and mailings. Guerra’s campaign does retain $82,733 in its coffers, but still owes Guerra $150,000 from a personal loan he made to the campaign.

Mendoza’s strength, on the other hand, lies in his cash on hand.

Due to early fundraising efforts, Mendoza reports more than $442,000 in available funds. Between May 18 and June 30, Mendoza pulled in contributions from mostly large PAC groups based in Sacramento, including: United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals PAC ($3,000); Wells Fargo and Company Employee PAC ($1,000); Peace Officers Research Assn. of CA PAC ($3,000); SEIU United Health Care Workers West PAC SCC ($4,100); Toyota Motor North America, Inc. ($1,000); El Monte-based LA County Firefighters Local 1014 ($1,000); Martin Greenidge, a Norwalk planning commissioner ($400); Eli Lilly & Company PAC ($4,100); Chevron Corporation ($2,000); and Blue Shield ($1,500).

His expenditures, which totaled $84,862, included salary payments, campaign consultations, and political donations to other Democrats running in Southern California.

This November, Guerra and Mendoza will faceoff for the open seat in the newly-created 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: Aug. 7, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 17