Ballot Measure Committees: The Unexpected Influence in Local Elections

In the upcoming L.A. City Council District 14 race, incumbent Kevin De León has an unexpected advantage – a state ballot measure committee that has already spent nearly $380,000 to support three statewide propositions. This tactic, while legal, has raised eyebrows as it allows De León to gain additional publicity during his tough reelection campaign. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, it's crucial to understand the intricacies of campaign finance and how candidates can leverage these mechanisms to their advantage.

Uncovering the Complexities of Campaign Finance in Local Elections

The Race for District 14

District 14 in Los Angeles is home to approximately 270,000 residents, encompassing neighborhoods like downtown L.A. and Highland Park. The race for this City Council seat has garnered significant attention, not only because of the high-profile candidates involved but also due to the potential implications for the city's trajectory on key issues.Incumbent Kevin De León, a former state Senate leader, is facing a challenge from Ysabel J. Jurado, a tenants' rights attorney who narrowly defeated him in the March primary. De León's political career has been marked by controversy, including a leaked audio recording that revealed a secret conversation involving racist and derogatory language. Despite calls for his resignation, De León has remained in office, setting the stage for a closely watched race.

Campaign Finance Dynamics

The financial landscape of the District 14 race is complex, with both candidates raising substantial sums of money. De León has a comfortable fundraising lead, having raised over $700,000 for his City Council reelection campaign. However, the March primary showed that campaign finance doesn't necessarily predict the outcome, as Jurado, who raised about half as much as her opponent, emerged victorious.The wildcard in this race is De León's state ballot measure committee, which has already spent nearly $380,000 to support three statewide propositions. This committee, separate from his City Council reelection campaign, allows De León to gain additional publicity by having his name associated with these ballot measures.

Unpacking the Ballot Measure Committee

De León's ballot measure committee, "Kevin De León Believing in a Better California Ballot Measure Committee – Yes on Propositions 3, 32 and 33," is supporting three statewide propositions:- Proposition 3: Amends the state constitution to include a right to marry and eliminate language that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.- Proposition 32: Increases the statewide minimum wage to $18 per hour.- Proposition 33: Allows cities and counties to enact rent control policies on properties where it is currently not allowed.The committee's funds come from a transfer of $600,000 from another committee De León had previously formed to support a future bid for lieutenant governor in 2026. This tactic, while legal, has raised questions about the fairness of using a state ballot measure committee to gain additional publicity during a local election.

A Trend Among Elected Officials

The use of state ballot measure committees by elected officials, especially during election years, is not uncommon. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn both created ballot measure committees to support Proposition 1 in 2022, a bond measure to fund mental health services and housing, while they were running for reelection.In 2020, L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez created a ballot measure committee to support Propositions 15 and 19, which dealt with property taxes, even though she was not running for office that year.However, when a candidate like De León uses a statewide ballot measure committee in a tight local race, it can raise eyebrows. Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, who ran against De León in the March primary, also created a ballot measure committee to support Proposition 1.

The Impact of Ballot Measure Committees

The money spent by De León's ballot measure committee, which is nearing the amount he has raised for his own City Council reelection campaign, gives him a significant financial advantage. The committee's filings show that most of the spending occurred between July and September, suggesting a concerted effort to influence voters in the final stretch before Election Day.This tactic raises questions about the fairness of the electoral process and the potential for candidates to use state-level ballot measures to gain an edge in local races. While the practice is legal, it highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight in campaign finance regulations to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.As voters in District 14 prepare to cast their ballots, it's crucial to be aware of the various campaign finance mechanisms at play and to scrutinize the sources of the campaign materials they encounter. By understanding the complexities of these tactics, voters can make informed decisions and hold their elected officials accountable.