Richard Bloom Grows His Campaign Contributions in Race for 50th Assembly

Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom's fundraising efforts picked up steam this summer in the race for the 50th Assembly District.

In the most recent three-month reporting period between July 1 and Sept. 30, Bloom raised $175,166—almost half of the $392,649 that has been contributed to his campaign since the beginning of the year.

By a wide margin, he is still out-funded by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, who is inching closer to mounting a campaign chest of $1 million. She collected $289,736 this quarter for a total of $901,690 since January. 

Related: Butler Trounces Bloom in Campaign Spending

One of the mayor's top contributors was NMS Properties, Inc., an apartment developer behind a controversial new Political Action Committee that's funneling money into Santa Monica's City Council race. 

The Democratic State Central Committee of California was Butler's biggest contributor this year, dropping a total of $89,884 in contributions on the campaign since May. During the latest reporting period, the committee gave Butler $9,484.  

The endorsement from the state party ruffled feathers during the June primary campaign. At the time, supporters of then-opponent Torie Osborn—who ended up with the fewest votes June 5—said Assembly Speaker John Perez, who is a Butler supporter, made sure his pick got the victory.

Other major contributors that made recent contributions to Butler's campaign include:

• American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
  California People Small Contributor Committee
  Contributed $7,800 on Aug. 1

• California Real Estate Political Action Committee
  Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 25

• California State Council of Laborers Political Action Committee
  Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 28

• California Dental Political Action Committee
  Contributed $7,800 on July 31

• California Teachers Association / Assoc. For Better Citizenship (CTA/ABC)
  Contributed $7,800 on Sept. 17

Top contributors to Bloom's campaign include:

• NMS Properties, inc.
  Contributed $5,000 on June 14

• Democracy Engine
  Contributed $4,400 on Aug. 8

• Aileen Getty
  Contributed $3,900 on Aug. 20

• Arch Kirkwood
  Contributed $3,900 on Aug. 1

• Beachbody
  Contributed $3,900 on Sept. 29

• Californians Allied For Patient Protection Political Action Committee
  Contributed $3,900 on Sept. 12

Related Articles:

• State Dems Back Butler for 50th Assembly Seat
• Candidates Accused of Stacking Endorsements