Fresh off winning a Senate campaign in which an eye-popping $11 million was raised and spent, Sen. Tony Strickland of Moorpark hasn't cooled off his fundraising machine.
Reports filed with the secretary of state show that in the first six months of his new four-year term, Strickland raised $262,096, or about $1,500 day. He also continued to spend freely, paying out $158,735, much of it in contributions to other Republican candidates.
He took in 215 separate contributions, 152 of which were for $1,000 or more. Most of the checks were from businesses and business groups, many in the healthcare, insurance and financial services industry. Although criticized during the campaign for accepting contributions from the tobacco industry, Strickland hasn't changed his policy. He received a combined $6,400 from two cigarette-makers.
Although his wife, Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, has a committee to raise money for an office that will actually be contested in 2010, she was far less active on the fundraising front. Her committee for secretary of state raised slightly more than $50,000 and ended June with $39,000 in the bank.
The two Stricklands combined paid longtime family friend and legislative staff employee Joel Angeles $12,000 in political consulting fees. Angeles is preparing for a trial on battery charges stemming from an incident last summer outside a Westlake Village fundraiser for Sen. Strickland.
Ventura County's other freshman senator, Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, was relatively inactive in raising campaign money during her first six months on the job. She took in $34,000, paid out $51,000, transfered $70,000 from her old committee, and ended the period with $53,000 in the bank.
There is a possibility that Pavley and Strickland could be pitted against each other in 2012, depending on how new Senate district maps are drawn by an independent commission following the 2010 census.
One other bit of fundraising news: Democratic Assemblyman Pedro Nava of Santa Barbara, among a crowded field of candidates seeking the party nomination for attorney general in 2010, raised $227,000. The combined cash balances of his two active political committees is slightly more than $250,000. He has his work cut out; even a modest campaign for statewide office could cost $2 million or more.
ALL politicians,republicans and democrats, are lying cheating stealing traitorous low-life dirtbag scum.
Their not about representing the people their all about lining their own pockets and pushing their own agenda.
Hopefully in 2010 the voters will see through all their nonsense finally an throw all the professional politicians out of office to make way for some statesmen.
No SCUM Incumbents
No Spouses of Termed Out SCUM Incumbents
Don't promote Term Out SCUM Incumbents to other offices.
"ALL politicians,republicans and democrats, are lying cheating stealing traitorous low-life dirtbag scum."
Thyat may be true but Strickland takes it to an even bigger level. Just outrageous.
Toney strickland also knows -- unfortunately -- how to play to win and isn't the slightest bit ashamed of doing it. Would that better Republicans than he is would be as dedicated to winning.
jw, a little hard on politicians there aren't you? You'll still have to find one to vote for.