Former Republican spends $1 million on congressional race
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A wealthy Manhattan Beach businessman and developer has spent nearly $1 million—mostly his own money—on a campaign for a newly drawn congressional district seat in coastal Los Angeles County.
Bill Bloomfield, 61, is one of eight candidates seeking the 33rd Congressional District seat, which runs from Beverly Hills and Malibu down the coast through the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The incumbent is Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), running against a field of largely unknown candidates.
Bloomfield, a former Republican who is running as an independent, is the only Waxman challenger spending significant money, according to federal campaign finance records. He has spent much of his war chest on campaign mailers and ads on cable television throughout the sprawling district.
The other candidates include three additional Democrats—marijuana legalization attorney Bruce Margolin, business attorney Zein E. Obagi and TV editor Tim Pape. Also running are Republican entrepreneur Christopher David, Green Party member and consumer rights advocate David William Steinman and Libertarian Party member and certified public accountant Steve Collette.
Under the state’s new elections system, only the candidates who finish first and second in Tuesday’s primary, regardless of any party affiliation, will advance to the November general election.
Bloomfield outdistanced even Waxman in terms of the money he has available for his campaign; he reported raising $1.2 million and spending $999,304 by May 16, the latest campaign filing date. Most of his money-- $1,106, 430—came from his own bank account, records showed. Bloomfield has contributed to Republican candidates over the years, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and is endorsed by former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, also a Republican.
Waxman had about $894,000 in his campaign treasury. None of the other candidates had anywhere near that much campaign money.
District registration is 44% Democratic and 28% Republican, with 23% of voters affiliating with no party.
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--Jean Merl and Richard Simon
