LOS ANGELES, June 3 (UPI) -- Former California state speaker Bob Hertzberg, who raised $200,000 in 40 days, can now say he is Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn's best-funded opponent.
But Hertzberg still has a long way to go before he pulls equal with Hahn, a fellow Democrat. Hahn, who began his re-election campaign in 2003, has already raised more than $1.3 million and intends to raise more.
Hahn's challengers. "are only now beginning to raise funds for a race that is expected to cost millions of dollars," the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
In 2001, the different candidates for mayor spent more than $18 million in the March primary, when Hahn finished behind Antonio Villaraigosa.
In the June runoff election that decided the contest, Hahn spent an additional $4.4 million while Villaraigosa spent $3.8 million.
Political strategists say to be successful in 2005, candidates for mayor would have to spend more than the $2.25-million voluntary spending limit since they will have to use Los Angeles television and radio advertising, among the most expensive in the nation, to raise their name identification among the voters.
