The California State Legislature is poised to welcome its largest freshman class in more than a decade, and special interests are looking to decide which freshman voters will be sent to Sacramento in November’s election against Democrats. He is spending millions of dollars on Democratic campaigns.

The independence movement, funded by big tech companies, labor unions, law enforcement and other key players in the state Legislature, could destabilize the struggle between liberal and moderate lawmakers within the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority. There is sex. The results could have major implications for future laws on climate change and the environment, school and health care funding, criminal justice reform, and worker and employer rights.

The stakes are high in four Democratic-on-Democrat races in the greater Los Angeles area, with more than $20 million raised by various political action committees seeking to field leading candidates, according to campaign finance records as of Nov. 1. It’s being poured into it. The candidates running in these constituencies are:

• Former political staffer Jessica Caroza and criminal justice reform advocate Frankie Carrillo are vying for representation. Congressional District 52which includes a swath of northeast Los Angeles County and some or all of Glendale and East Los Angeles.
• Former nonprofit leader John Yee and Mark Gonzalez, currently district director for U.S. Rep. Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), are facing off in the race. Congressional District 54 Race; This includes Westlake, Chinatown, Koreatown, and Boyle Heights.
• Career organizer Sadeh Elhawary and small business owner Efren Martinez 57 parliamentary districts in South Los Angeles.
• Former Congresswoman Laura Richardson and community justice advocate and former Compton City Council member Michelle Chambers are running for office. Senate District 35 Located in southern Los Angeles County. With more than $7 million spent by independent spending committees, the Chambers-Richardson race is the most expensive state Senate race, according to California Target Book, a comprehensive political database. It becomes.

Here’s a look at how a few big spenders are trying to influence who LA voters send to Sacramento.

big oil

Who spent the money: Chevron, Phillips 66, and Valero Services are the largest members of the Coalition to Restore California’s Middle Class, which includes energy, manufacturing, and technology companies that produce gas, oil, provide jobs, and pay taxes. is one of the financial backers of In total, the committee raised more than $11 million.

People they helped: The PAC spent about $700,000 supporting Laura Richardson, most of which went to the mail carrier. Mr. Richardson’s campaign said in a statement that Mr. Richardson had no contact or connection with the independent commission. PAC spent more than $50,000 against Richardson’s opponent, Michelle Chambers.

“They know that they are the only candidates in this race who will advocate for a clean environment, affordable housing, and worker rights, including misleading voters with malicious lies. , we are doing everything in our power to stop that,” Chambers said. statement.

The PAC also spent more than $275,000 supporting Efren Martinez and another $129,000 against Martinez’s opponent, Sadeh Elhawary.

“Big oil opposes Sadd because she is fighting for environmental justice,” El-Hawary’s spokesperson wrote in the Times.

What they want: The ongoing struggle over support for the oil industry and policies to combat climate change and limit rising gas prices. It’s a cause Gov. Gavin Newsom champions. California policymakers have outlined a plan to make the state carbon neutral by 2045 and ban sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. Fossil fuel companies are rallying as measures are taken to restrict drilling and set new limits on gasoline prices. opposed the measure and even vowed to sue.

A Chevron spokesperson said in a statement that the company supports candidates from both parties who “share our beliefs in the importance of free enterprise, a strong economy, sensible regulatory regimes, and responsible energy development.” said.

A representative for Phillips 66 declined to comment. Valero did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

labor union

Who paid: Health care workers and teachers unions have poured millions of dollars into the campaigns of their preferred candidates.

People they helped: The union has donated more than $1 million to support Michelle Chambers, and she has the support of SEIU California State Council and the California Teachers Union. The independent spending committee is the biggest spender in the race against Laura Richardson.

“As someone who grew up in a working-class family, I am incredibly proud to have the support of these organizations to help create better-paying jobs and support our region’s workforce as the next state senator.” I look forward to working on behalf of these people,” Chambers said in a statement.

Labor unions also played a key role in countering Mr. Richardson’s opponents, spending about $2 million against him.

“The massive spending by groups opposed to Laura’s candidacy is fueled by their desire to maintain the status quo and resist meaningful change,” Richardson’s campaign said in a statement.

These groups also spent about $500,000 supporting Sadeh Elhawari and more than $1 million against her opponent Efren Martinez.

Opportunity PAC, sponsored by teachers and nurses, and Families & Teachers United also donated nearly $200,000 to Mark Gonzalez. Opportunity PAC spent an additional $91,000 against rival John Yi.

What they want: Unions have won big victories in recent years, including stronger protections for fast food workers and a minimum wage of $25 an hour for health care workers.

SEIU California Executive Director Tia Orr said in a statement that SEIU California is a pro-labor organization that advances the goals of raising wages, ensuring families have access to affordable health care and housing, and supporting the right to unionize. He said he would like to support the members of Congress.

“Working people want more than the letter ‘D’ in a candidate’s name. We want candidates like Sadeh Elhawary and Michelle Chambers who will put the needs of working people and communities above billionaires and corporate interests,” Orr said. Ta.

Uber

Who paid: Uber made headlines this year for dumping. $30 million He joined a state committee in California called the Uber Innovation PAC.

People they helped: Uber spent $306,000 supporting Sadeh Elhawary.

Uber spent an additional $278,000 supporting Laura Richardson and $278,000 campaigning against Richardson’s opponent, Michelle Chambers.

What they want: Uber is carried out lobbying activities Several technology bills this year address issues such as self-driving cars and food delivery platforms. In a statement, Ramona Prieto, Uber’s director of public policy and communications for the Western region, said in a statement that Uber is “powering thoughtful candidates and campaigns” and is “doubling down on the difficult challenges our state will face in the future, including electrification.” We will be happy to work with you to provide assistance, support, etc.” Repairing small business and state insurance markets. ”

prison guards and law enforcement

Who paid: The Independent Expenditure Commission, funded by correctional officials and law enforcement agencies, spent heavily on these races. These profits benefit a variety of PACs, including Tomorrow California PAC, Asian Pacific Islander PAC, We Are One LA, Keep California Golden, and Integrity California, all of which are part of the state’s largest union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. We receive a portion of our funding from. and Peace Officers Research Association. A California lawmaker representing law enforcement officers.

People they helped: Integrity California spent $225,000 on mailers and digital ads for Efren Martinez. Martinez supports Proposition 36, an anti-crime ballot initiative widely supported by law enforcement. A spokesperson for Martinez’s campaign said he joins the majority of voters in the district who support the bill. We Are One LA, which is funded by prison officials, spent $113,000 on consulting and mailings to support Martinez.

Integrity California PAC spent just under $220,000 to fight Martinez’s opponent, Sadeh Elhawary. Elhawary opposes Prop. 36 and, like many opponents, wants California to move away from its reliance on harsher penalties for minor crimes. Police group PORAC ​​supported Martinez’s candidacy.

Integrity California and Keep California Golden spent more than $700,000 to oppose Michelle Chambers’ candidacy, and Keep California Golden spent $500,000 to support Laura Richardson in the state Senate race. Spent just under a dollar. Police group PORAC ​​supported Mr Richardson’s candidacy.

The correctional officer-backed Tomorrow California PAC spent just over $1.1 million supporting Jessica Caroza, accounting for half of her campaign spending. Her opponent, Frankie Carrillo, is a criminal justice reform advocate who was wrongfully convicted and acquitted of murder. His campaign is largely self-funded from a settlement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Tomorrow California PAC also donated $110,000 to Mark Gonzalez’s PAC, entitled Communities United to Elect Mark Gonzalez.

What they want: Prison wardens routinely lobby Congress for major budget decisions that affect pay and benefits. They also lobbied against the law to restrict the use of solitary confinement and give grants Expansion of visitation rights for prisoners.

CCPOA spokesperson Nathan Ballard said the CCPOA wants to improve the daily lives of correctional officers. “Candidates earn our support based on whether they tend to support our goals,” he said. These goals include a “focus” on “executive pay, safety, work environment, health care, benefits, and professional development.”

The same applies to law enforcement agencies, which play a major lobbying role in important policy decisions. deal with prison and criminal justice reform. PORAC ​​President Brian Marvel said they thoroughly evaluated each candidate to see if they aligned with the union’s goals.