Updated at 7 a.m. Saturday
Politicians, big businesses and unions opened up their wallets in the past three months, making major contributions to the candidates vying to represent the Westside and the Hollywood area in the California Assembly.
In the latest reporting period that covers mid-March through May 19, current Assemblywoman Betsy Butler took a wide lead as the top spender, reporting $530,468, most of which was spent on printing campaign materials. She also took in the most donations, $369,356.06, leaving her with $184,205 in cash on hand.
Her major contributors this period include Anheuser-Bush Cos., Inc.; AT&T Inc.; PG&E; Political Action by Pest Control Operators; Mike Eng and the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians, Inc.
Candidate Torie Osborn—who had outspent Butler by $28,679 in the last reporting period—spent $349,385 and raked in new contributions totaling $288,509.
Some of Osborn's top donors include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, David Geffen and director Rob Reiner.
She reported having the most cash on hand, $250,805.45.
Also on the ballot in the June 5 primary is Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, who continues to trail both female candidates. He collected a total of $106,454 in donations this period and spent $148,381.
Republican Brad Torgan will file a report electronically when he hits the secretary of state's fundraising threshold of $25,000.
Assemblywoman Butler is moving from her current district that covers much of the South Bay to the , which spans north to Agoura Hills, west to Santa Monica and east to Hollywood.
