Politics

*L.A.'s wannabee mayors raising big amounts of cash

Austin Beutner pulled in $405,000 for the first reporting period ended June 30, Controller Wendy Greuel raised $518,152, and City Councilwoman Jan Perry picked up $456,809 - and that's with almost two years to go before the election. By the time it's over, these folks might need to raise upwards of $3 million to stay competitive. From the Downtown News:

All three sought to use the numbers to their advantage. In a prepared statement, Greuel said, “It’s clear that people are looking for an experienced, problem solver who can bring needed reforms to City Hall to make Los Angeles work again.” A statement from Perry, meanwhile, said, “I am honored to have found such great support for my candidacy. My record of delivering on key services and renewing the district I represent, from Downtown to South LA, has built a powerful foundation for my race for mayor.” Beutner’s campaign put a different spin on the figures, stating that he has raised more money on a per-week basis than Greuel. Greuel, who filed to run in early March, has generated about $30,000 per week, while Beutner has raised about $36,000.

We still haven't heard from several others who might enter the race, including City Councilman Eric Garcetti, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and businessman Rick Caruso.

*Some interesting details on who is giving where from the LAT:

When Beutner submitted his reports last week he showed money from a number of people aligned with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is in his final four-year term. Beutner spent 15 months as Villaraigosa’s “jobs czar,” overseeing such agencies as the Department of Water and Power, the Department of Building and Safety and the housing department. But Greuel has shown her own considerable mayoral ties. She received $1,000 from Ari Swiller, who has been a close friend, campaign fundraiser and advisor to Villaraigosa. Swiller’s wife, Martha, who has been a Villaraigosa appointee, also gave $1,000. Charles Stringer, Swiller’s colleague at Renewable Resources Group, gave $100. Richard Katz, a high-level transit advisor to Villaraigosa, gave Greuel $1,000. Another $1,000 came from Jonathan Parfrey, one of Villaraigosa’s appointees to the five-member DWP board.

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