The tight California Senate District 28 race between Republicans Bonnie Garcia of the Coachella Valley and Jeff Stone of Temecula shows Stone has gained a significant fund-raising lead.
Through Sept. 30, Stone has received nearly $535,000 from 534 contributors in 2014. Almost 410 of his contributors and $500,000 of funds came from Californians.
Hill residents have contributed $2,150 to his campaign so far, but none to Garcia’s.
Garcia has received about $65,000 from out-of-state contributors, including about $8,200 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and $3,400 from Phillips 66, both located in Washington, D.C.
But many of Garcia’s Californian contributors are Political Action Committees such as Personal Insurance Federation of CA Agents and Employees, and the Chevron Policy and Public Affairs.
Also some contributors are funding both campaigns. For example, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians have contributed $8,200 to both Garcia and Stone. But Garcia has received contributions from several tribes and bands, including the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Barona Morongo and San Manuel Bands of Mission Indians and the Rincon and Soboba Bands of Luiseno Indians.
Garcia also leads Stone in contributions from fellow Republicans. Those who have given support include former state Sen. Bill Emmerson, Senate leader Connie Conway and Charles Munger.
Since the beginning of the year, Stone has spent almost $722,000 to win the seat. About $142,000, or 20 percent, has been between July 1 and Sept. 30. Garcia has spent about $530,400 in the nine months since Jan. 1, of which $200,000 has been in the past three months.
