Few Election Dollars Devoted to South Los Angeles in 44th District Race

The two candidates in the 44th Congressional District race, Congresswomen Janice Hahn and Laura Richardson, have less than a month before the non-partisan primary on June 5.

Yet among the millions of dollars spent by the two campaigns so far, few of those dollars have reached communities in South Los Angeles since the new congressional map for the region was finalized in August of last year.

Overall since Jan. 1, 2011, Hahn's campaign has spent more than $1.7 million on her special election to the previous 36th District and in the current election for the 44th, which covers South Los Angeles and stretches down to Carson and Long Beach.

Richardson's campaign has spent significantly less, just a little over $277,000.

Despite the big totals in spending, reports compiled from FEC campaign data show that Hahn has spent just $237,423 of that money in locations listed in Los Angeles, while Richardson has spent $21,334.

Hahn's totals listed nothing specific to Compton, Lynwood or South Gate. Just two entries in Richardson's spending data listed South Los Angeles locations - two payments made in Compton for $343 and $201. 

In the last year, Hahn's campaign has spent $136,343 in Santa Monica on polling, $657,663 on printing in Encino, and $695,051 on printing and postage in Simi Valley. 

Richardon's campaign spent $27,970 in Sherman Oaks and $35,581 in Long Beach since January 2011.

Though the spending figures do not show how much campaign money has been spent specifically in South Los Angeles, the Hahn campaign will attempt to make inroads into the communities here by opening its Compton/Carson office this Saturday. Richardson has represented Compton since 2007. 

Both candidates would be newcomers to Lynwood and South Gate. Hahn previously represented the 36th Congressional District, which covered parts of South Bay, including cities like Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica.

Richardson represented the 37th District, which covered Compton, Carson and Signal Hill.

Yesterday, Hahn scored another campaign victory with an endorsement from The Los Angeles Times.

According to the endorsement, the Times writers believe Hahn "is poised to carry out the job without distractions or unwieldy political baggage," citing Richardson's investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly forcing her legislative staff to work on campaign matters.

Even with the primary looming, both candidates are likely to remain in the race, regardless of party, until the general election in November.