Track the money flowing into the race for
Updated
The two candidates on the November ballot for attorney general and outside committees formed to support the candidates have raised a combined $15.2 million. About 64% of that amount went to California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta.
Who has raised the most?
Bonta, a Democrat, led the primary with 55% of the votes, and is leading in fundraising with big donations from corporate and labor political action committees, including teachers, service workers and health insurance and law enforcement personnel. He was appointed California attorney general in March 2021. He previously served as a member of the Assembly representing parts of the Bay Area. Bonta has received 3,749 donations averaging $2,610 each.
Nathan Hochman, a Republican, is a former Justice Department prosecutor now in private practice and serving as the head of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. His support has mainly come from Los Angeles County, with his biggest contributions coming from himself, real estate investors and family members. Hochman has received 2,158 donations averaging $2,520 each.
Both candidates had increased contributions in the month before the primary, however during that time, Bonta outraised Hochman by 3 to 1. Since the primary, fundraising for both has slowed.
Where is the money coming from?
Bonta’s support comes from major cities and large population bases in the Bay Area and Southern California. Hochman’s support has mainly come from Los Angeles County and San Diego. Both candidates have received some support from out of state.
Who is supporting the candidates?
Candidate committees for the attorney general’s race have contribution limits of $16,200. Both candidates are also supported by primarily formed committees, which cannot coordinate with the candidate and do not have contribution limits. There were 142 donors who contributed at or above the maximum amount to Bonta, and 79 who contributed at or above the maximum to Hochman.
Bonta’s large donors include PACs representing the labor interests of teachers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, nurses, engineers, plumbers and electricians. Service Employees International Union affiliates contributed more than $870,000 combined. He received $500,000 from The California Teachers Assn. More than a dozen gaming companies and executives of casinos gave the maximum amount to Bonta. Many also contributed to anti-Proposition 26 committees that oppose legalizing in-person sports betting on tribal lands.
Hochman’s large contributions were from himself, his family and executives in real estate, finance and law firms. As his biggest contributor, Hochman’s mother, Harriet, gave $400,000. Real estate developer Geoff Palmer, real estate investment trust company Douglas Emmett Inc., and real estate investor Brad Mindlin each gave $100,000 or more. Mobile home park owner Jeffrey Kaplan and his wife also contributed more than $100,000 combined.
How is the money being spent?
In addition to the amount Bonta’s candidate committee raised, it also has $2.3 million in funds, including transfers from previous committees and other miscellaneous transactions. The bulk of his candidate committee spending has been on TV or cable airtime and production costs, with more than $3.6 million going to this category. Bonta’s primarily formed committee has also prioritized TV, spending close to $1.9 million on ads.
Hochman’s candidate committee has focused on campaign literature and radio airtime. His primarily formed committee has spent most of its funds on media purchases.
What other groups are supporting the candidates?
Outside committees have spent $364,900 in support of Bonta, including $40,000 from Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West PAC. Outside committees have spent $6,200 in support of Hochman.