Who's Behind Them: More donors giving more money to state controller candidates than you'd have guessed.
Do you know what the state controller does? "Control things" isn't an acceptable answer. Among other, more arcane duties, the controller is, essentially, the state treasurer, monitoring and regulating California's cash flow. It's neither a glamorous nor high-profile job.
But this year, attention must be paid. Because, this time, Republican Ashley Swearengin has a puncher's chance to become the GOP's only statewide elected official.
The former Fresno mayor came first in the June primary, beating out a handful of Democratic challengers who cannibalized each others' votes. Republicans are smelling blood, and fundraising has been brisk for what's otherwise a political backwater. Swearengin has amassed some $1 million: "If they can't elect her," says one political consultant, "they can't elect anybody." Democrat Betty Yee, a San Franciscan, emerged by a fingernail in an embarrassing June election that saw 300,000 Californians cast their votes for accused gun-runner Leland Yee (no relation). Betty Yee has also passed the million-dollar plateau.
Independent Expenditure spending has been surprisingly light; Yee has benefited from $10,000 from Professional Engineers in California Government for a slate mailer. Swearengin has received even less: $588 for a luncheon and $741 for use of a plane and its pilot.
Money could still come pouring in before election day, however. Because, like so many political races, this one serves as a symbol of something greater than merely who'll be the state's next bean-counter.
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