Yanking the rug...

Auday Arabo has apparently scored one early advantage in the race for the Democratic Nomination in AD 78. As seen in a prior posting, one of the speakers at his recent fundraiser was Assemblymember Alberto Torrico, the Chair of the Asian Pacific-Islander Caucus.

While this is an important endorsement for Arabo, it is a more important factor for Arlie Ricasa, who had the endorsement of the Asian Pacific-Islander Caucus when she ran in 2004.

With money and institutional Sacramento support, Auday has to be considered the leading contender among the existing candidates in the field. He is also the only candidate who would presumably have the financial support necessary to defeat Steve Peace if he were to get into the race.

The Money Game

Less than six months since Shirley Horton won re-election, the field for the next election is already shaping up, and one candidate is attempting to use his fundraising ability to scare off potential Democratic opponents.

Auday Arabo, profiled on his work webiste here, has been saying privately that he would raise $500,000 in his run for the Assembly, and he has publicly, and rather boldly, claimed to already have raised $180,000.

From the Capitol Morning Report (Subscription Required):

Auday Arabo, a candidate in the 78th AD, reports raising more than $180,000 at his campaign kick-off fundraiser on Feb. 23 where Asm. Alberto Torrico and former senator Wadie Deddeh were speakers. Contact: Heather Wright 916 712 6344.

This proves the point that the race in 2008 will be very different than 2006 where the primary winner, Maxine Sherard, won the primary without even raising the $50,000 required for a campaign filing.