2014 South OC Assembly Race Contributions Reach $440K

The candidates gearing up for the 2014 primary fight to represent south Orange County in the California Assembly raised a total of more than $440,000 for their campaign war chests.

Capistrano Unified School District Board Trustee Anna Bryson raised $70,542 in the first six months of the year in her bid for California’s 73rd Assembly District seat, according to financial disclosures released this week.

Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla raised $70,493 from Jan.1 to June 30, hauling in more loot from outside donors than anyone else in the five-way primary race. But state records show three other candidates raised more money than he did when including loans the candidates made to their own campaigns -- including fellow Rancho Councilman Steve Baric at $154,470.

The other candidates include Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul G. Glaab who raised $114,749 and spent $3,964; and Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough who raised $31,081 and spent $5,648.

Baric spent $397, Petrilla spent $4,884 and Bryson spent $19,000.

The candidates had to submit initial fundraising disclosures this week.

The top two vote-getters in the June 2014 primary, regardless of party, will face off in the November 2014 general election.

District 73 encompasses San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, part of Lake Forest and unincorporated areas near the eastern border of Orange County.