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In this year’s primary election, the Democratic incumbents for state and congressional seats representing San Benito County have spent more than $1 million more than any of their opponents, showcasing the size of their fundraising advantage.
Both Assemblyman Robert Rivas and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren have reported raising more than $1.5 million each, while none of their opponents in either party have raised more than $100,000.
Here is what the candidates for the California Assembly and U.S. House of Representatives on this year’s ballot have reported raising and how they spent it.
29th Assembly District: Robert Rivas vs. J.W. Paine and Dennis Sanchez
Rivas
In his fifth consecutive campaign for the Assembly seat, Rivas, who in 2018 was appointed Assembly speaker, has raised more than $1.6 million from donors across the state. Among his largest contributors are political action committees (PACs) such as Building a Stronger Future for California, California State Association of Electrical Workers and the Association of California School Administrators, which each donated $11,800. Rivas has also received contributions from companies such as CVS, Meta, Uber, Amazon and Visa.
He has spent more than $935,000 on consultants, surveys, polls, events, signs and mailings.
Paine
In his third Assembly run, Paine has reported no expenditures or contributions in his campaign as the Republican candidate, according to data from the California Secretary of State.
Sanchez
Sanchez has received six donations totaling $1,050 and a $1,480 loan from a Republican Party consultant. He has spent $1,622, mostly on campaign filing fees.
18th U.S. Congressional District: Zoe Lofgren vs. Luis Arreguin, Chris Demers, Shane Lewis
Logfren
Lofgren has been in Congress for more than 30 years and has raised more than $1.5 million this year. Among her donors are PACs funded by Google, Cisco, Deloitte and Mainstream. She has spent more than $1.1 million on digital media strategy, events, consultants and campaign paraphernalia.
Acevedo-Arreguin
The challenger running for the Democratic nomination reported raising more than $18,000, all of which except for a $500 donation has come from a loan Acevedo-ArreguÃn made to himself. He has spent more than $15,000. The Federal Election Commission does not provide data on his donations and expenditures.
Demers
An independent candidate, he has received $88,000 in contributions and spent less than half of it. The Federal Election Commission has no data on his donations and expenditures.
Lewis
The Marine Corps veteran seeking the Republican nomination has reported raising more than $40,000, of which $31,000) came from loans to himself. He has spent $23,000 on strategy consulting, digital marketing, events and fees.
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