Recently in Election 2012 Category

Anyone living in the area where Reps. Howard Berman and Brad Sherman are campaigng instinctively knows a lot of money is being spent, based on the mails they are receiving.
Campaign reports released on Friday show that nearly $2.5 million has been spent in the last month alone by the two to get their message out to voters for the June 5 election.
And, this could be only the start if the two end up _ as most expect _ in a November runoff.
Sherman reported spending $1.1 million during the period of April 1 through May 16 and he still has more than $3 million in cash available.
Berman reported spending $1.7 million and has $821,000 in cash left. Also, the superpac that is backing Berman reported spending $403,663 on his behalf.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will talk national politics on Thursday when he appears on "The War Room" with former Michian Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Villaraigosa, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is expected to discuss the significance of the Latino vote in this year's elections and its role in the federal elections.

Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman - locked in a heated congressional race - tussled Tuesday over which politician is responsible for the recent expansion of the 405 Freeway. Dakota Smith in the Daily News.

Both politicians helped secure funds for the 405 widening near the Ventura (101) Freeway, but it's unclear which did more of the heavy lifting to make the expansion a reality.

Berman appeared Tuesday at a press event overlooking the traffic-clogged 405 to argue he was responsible for securing $130 million in federal funds that kick-started the project.

It is a classic David vs. Goliath political match -- and David's barely armed with even a slingshot. Daily News,
Palmdale businessman Raj Pal Kahlon is challenging Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in the June 5 primary for the 5th District seat held by the incumbent for 32 years.

Antonovich, 72, is the only supervisor on the June 5 primary ballot to draw an opponent, with Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe running unopposed -- a reflection of the political truism that incumbent supervisors don't get unseated in Los Angeles County.

In fact, the last person to oust an incumbent: Mike Antonovich, who took down Supervisor Baxter Ward in 1980 S

Stop by Valley Beth Shalom in Encino for services and you might spot Congressman Howard Berman sitting in one aisle and Congressman Brad Sherman a few seats away. Dakota Smith in the Daily News,

Both men attend the synagogue, one of a handful of things the veteran politicians have in common. They are also well-liked, Democrats - and fighting for the same seat in a highly competitive 30th Congressional District race.

But that's where the similarities end, say friends and colleagues.

The office of Attorney General Kamala Harris on Thursday rejected a request by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to investigate his missing personnel files at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
"Our office has reviewed this matter and determined that no further action is warranted at this time," Harris said in a statement.
Trutanich had requested the inquiry, saying he was concerned political games were being played with his files, which could have contained information about a shooting incident with gang members when he worked for the District Attorney's office.
There was no immediate reaction from Trutanich.

**
Trutanich campaign manager John Shallman said they understood why Harris would not get involved so close to an election.
"However, the substance of Mr. Trutanich's complaint stands," Shallman said. "All personnel file requests go through the Chief Deputy DA. The Chief Deputy DA, who has a history of playing politics inside the office, is running against Mr.
Trutanich. Mr. Trutanich's personnel file is missing. Those are the
facts."

Two of the candidates for District Attorney on June 5 began their television campaigns this week, with Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson both emphasizing their tough on gang crime approach.
Trutanich, using many of the images from his City Attorney commercials two years ago, also discusses the need to try to keep young people from getting in gangs with after school and diversion programs.
Jackson, likewise talks of his years as a prosecutor and having put dozens of gang members behind bars. Also, he said, he has been working to modernize the District Attorney's Office with new programs.
Prior to the release of his commercial, Jackson has released a number of YouTube commercials touting his experience.

Responding to a story questioning the details of an incident where he was shot at by gang members, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich asked the state Attorney General's office to look into "suspicious political activity" in the District Attorney's office.
Trutanich, who is running for District Attorney in the June 5 election, said portions of his personnel file from the years he worked in the DA's office are missing.
The Los Angeles Times on Friday wrote a story in which details of the 1985 shooting were called hazy.
During the course of interviews, Trutanich said he learned that portions of his personnel file relating to security assigned to his family were missing.
"This statement is shocking," Trutanich said, adding he had never requested his files or been told anyone asked to look at them.
"The possibilitiy that recrods have been rmoved, tampered with or stolen in the course of political campaign merits your office's immediate review."

Fears of massive Obamajam traffic tie-ups were overshadowed Thursday as hundreds of fans and onlookers lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of President Barack Obama as he attended a star-studded fundraiser in Studio City. CJ Lin in the Daily News,

Obama made his first visit as president to a San Fernando Valley neighborhood to attend a record-breaking fundraiser at George Clooney's estate. | See photo gallery.

The event, expected to be attended by Hollywood A-listers like Barbra Streisand, Robert Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire, was predicted to raise $12 million to $15 million, both from the attendees as well as an online contest for a pair of tickets at Obama's and Clooney's table.

In this handout image provided by the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) talks about Sudan with actor George Clooney during a meeting outside the Oval Office October 12, 2010 in Washington, DC.Susan Abram in the Daily News.

Residents of Studio City, especially those who live south of Ventura Boulevard, should expect traffic delays and road closures on local streets tonight when President Obama visits a campaign fundraiser at George Clooney's home, officials said Wednesday.

The president is expected to land at Los Angeles International Airport around 6p.m. and will be transported via helicopter and motorcade to the actor's home, according to City Councilman Paul Krekorian, who represents the neighborhood.

Studio City residents are bracing for a glitzy, celebrity-packed, traffic-jam-inducing fundraiser in their backyard on Thursday, when George Clooney hosts a re-election bash for President Obama. Susan Abram in the Daily News.

At least 150 people - plus a presidential entourage, Secret Service detail, caterers, staff, etc. - are expected at the actor's Studio City home near Wilacre Park on Thursday, just off busy Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Published reports estimate Obama could take in $12 million for his re-election, making it potentially the biggest presidential fundraiser in the nation's history.

Businessman Austin Beutner announced today that he has decided to withdraw from the mayor's race of 2013 because of the demands it placed on his family life.
"Everything I have been successful at, I have busted my butt," Beutner said. "I didn't feel I could devote the time to this and balance it with my family.:"
Beutner has four children.
He had said he hoped to finance his campaign with donations from the public, but at some point he would have to invest his own money in the campaign.
":Resources would not have been a problem," Beutner said.

Reps. Howard Berman and Brad Sherman, facing one another in the 30th District congressional race, clashed Monday over a former Berman consulant's involvement in a pro-Berman "super PAC." Dakota Smith in the Daily News.

The Sherman campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission asking for an investigation into whether the Berman campaign violated federal law by coordinating with a super PAC supporting his candidacy.

At issue is vendor work performed by Jerry Seedborg, a former campaign manager for Berman.

Absentee ballots for the June 5 primary election were mailed Monday, marking the first time Californians will vote under dramatic new procedures designed to reduce partisanship in Sacramento and Washington D.C. Daily News.

Under the top two candidates open primary system, the two candidates with the most votes - regardless of their party affiliation - will face off in the Nov. 6 general election.

"This is the first statewide election since California voters created the top-two primary system," Secretary of State Debra Bowen said.

For San Fernando Valley Republicans, these are tough times. Neighborhoods like Shadow Hills and Porter Ranch are dropping in Republican numbers. Younger politicians are more likely to move to Santa Clarita or the Antelope Valley, rather than risk a losing race against a Democrat in the Valley. Dakota Smith in the Daily News,

Republicans campaigns that do launch - like candidate Mark Reed's outfinanced match against Democrat incumbents Howard Berman and Brad Sherman in the 30th Congressional District - are watched with resignation.

"It's almost futile for Republicans to run at this stage," said Gary Aminoff, president of the San Fernando Valley Republicans Club. "The Valley is just so heavily Democratic."