The race in Ventura and Los Angeles counties for outgoing state Sen. Fran Pavley’s seat is turning increasingly negative.
The state Democratic Party is backing mailers accusing “polluters” of contributing to Republican candidate Steve Fazio in the race for the 27th Senate District. The party is backing Fazio’s opponent, Democrat Henry Stern, in the Nov. 8 election.
The glossy mailers claim “toxic polluters” support Fazio, owner of a dry-cleaning chain, from Woodland Hills. The mailers also accuse polluters of paying for Fazio’s negative advertising against Stern.
The attacks come as both candidates seek undecided voters in this Topanga-to-Stevenson Ranch district. About 22 percent of voters claim “no party preference,” meaning a significant number of votes in the 27th District are up for grabs. Another 42 percent are Democratic and 31 percent are Republican in the district that includes the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Valley and Porter Ranch.
In an interview Friday, Fazio portrayed himself as a small businessman up against a wealthy opponent.
“I’m not raising money from Sacramento, San Francisco and Washington,” said Fazio, alluding to Stern’s contributions.
Campaign papers filed last week show Stern has raised $761,449 in the past three months. A Canoga Park resident and former Pavley aide, Stern currently has $462,146 cash on hand.
Fazio raised $352,269 during the same period and has $71,950 on hand, filings show.
Stern’s fundraising numbers show his “wide coalition of support from business leaders, labor, and environmentalists” said campaign consultant Steve Barkan.
Barkan also criticized a cable advertisement paid for by Fazio portraying Stern as a preppy rich kid who grew up in Malibu. The spot notes Stern was “born into a life of privilege,” and casts Fazio as a man of the people.
Barkan countered that Stern grew up going to public schools.
Stern’s supporters include Pavley, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, California Teachers Association and Sierra Club, among others.
Fazio is endorsed by Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch Englander, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors members Michael Antonovich and Don Knabe, the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the California Small Business Association, among others.
Filings last week in other state legislative races in the San Fernando Valley revealed some lopsided fundraising results.
Assemblywoman Patty Lopez raised about $30,971 in the most recent period ending Sept. 24, campaign filings show. The Democrat, who has about $10,642 cash on hand, is fending off a challenge in the 39th Assembly District race from Raul Bocanegra, who reported raising about $234,157 in the same period. He has $255,147 cash on hand.
Former Assemblyman Bocanegra lost his seat to Lopez in 2014, but has mounted an aggressive campaign to represent the district, which includes Pacoima, North Hollywood and Tujunga.
In the 43rd Assembly District race in the southeastern San Fernando Valley, Democrat Laura Friedman raised $308,705 in the most recent period. She has $254,636 cash on hand.
Rival Ardy Kassakhian, also a Democrat, brought in $247,590, and has $124,222 on hand, filings show.
