FINISHING WITH A FLURRY

Campaign fund-raising in Ventura County's 37th Assembly District Republican primary — the most expensive Assembly primary in the state — has now topped $1.5 million as all three major candidates are wrapping up the race with an impressive collection of contribution checks.

Somewhat surprisingly, the campaign has not attracted the barrage of late independent expenditures some had anticipated. Independent expenditures, unlike direct contributions to the candidates, are unlimited.
Only three groups have weighed in with independent efforts: the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the prison guards union, kicked in with a $22,000 mailer backing Audra Strickland, wife of incumbent Assemblyman Tony Strickland.
The California Credit Union League PAC also spent $11,750 in phone calls and polling on Strickland's behalf.
The only other independent expenditure — a slate mailer — was made by the California Peace Officers Research Association, a coalition of law enforcement unions, on behalf of Deputy District Attorney Jeff Gorell. Its value was $6,000.

Here are the final fund-raising figures for the top three candidates: Mike Robinson, $738,442, including $600,000 from himself; Strickland, $566,669; Gorell, $245,611.

As has been the case throughout the campaign, special interests in Sacramento have shown a particular interest in Strickland during the closing days. She has taken in $48,400 in late contributions just since Valentine's Day. Here are some of the largest contributors in that group of last-minute givers: Morango Band of Mission Indians, $3,000; California Bankers Assn., $2,000; Gun Owners of America, $2,000; Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, $1,500; California-Nevada Soft Drink Assn., $1,000; HealthNet, $1,000; Hertz Corp., $1,000; Pacific Gas & Electric, $1,000; Miller Brewing Co., $1,000.