LAUSD Candidate Sanchez Handily Winning Fundraising Race

If the race for LAUSD’s District 5 seat was decided by which candidate raised and spent the most money during the campaign, then there is a clear winner—Luis Sanchez.

Sanchez, a former city commissioner who currently serves as the chief of staff to Los Angeles Unified School Board President Monica Garcia, has raised $141,546 and spent $95,509.

By contract, write-in candidate Scott Folsom has not raised or spent any money.

Sanchez was also able to bank on $378,096 other organizations, including Citizens for Better Schools, spent to support his candidacy, according to data from the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.

Bennett Kayser came in second, raising $8,378, with the help of a $1,100 loan he made to himself, and has spent $5,640 during his campaign. The United Teachers Los Angeles’ political action committee also spent $4,795 in campaign literature supporting Kayser, data shows.

John Fernandez only raised $600, but made himself a $10,000 loan. He has spent $7,757 so far in his campaign, data show. UTLA also spent  $35,291 in his favor in January. UTLA later withdrew Fernandez’s endorsement after union members learned of undisclosed tax liens and a bankruptcy on his record.

During a candidate forum Thursday night, Fernandez tackled the issue of campaign donations while answering a question regarding redistricting.

“Corporations are giving millions [to politicians]. In my campaign, I haven’t taken one cent,” he said. “I feel like I’m running against Meg Whitman.”

Sanchez attributes his success in raising money to his education networks, which he describes as friends and colleagues who he has worked with over the years. His long list of donors includes the Los Angeles School Police Association and the Laborers' Local 300 Small Contributor Committee who contributed the maximum donation of $1,000 each.

The candidate who wins the seat on Tuesday, March 8 will earn between $26,000 and $45,000 a year. District 5 represents, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Eagle Rock, Glasell Park, several East Los Angeles communities and unincorporated city of East Los Angeles.

To see a complete list of Sanchez's campaign contributors, click here. For Fernandez, click here and for Kayser, click here.