Long Beach Assistant City Auditor James Johnson has reported more than $53,000 raised during the first fundraising period in the race for Long Beach’s 7th District City Council seat. The period ended on June 30, and we have not yet received figures from other candidates.

“I want to thank all of my supporters who have placed this campaign in such a great position at this stage of the race,” Johnson said in a released statement.  “This broad-based support means that I will have the resources necessary to get my message of change and fresh ideas out to the residents of the 7th District.”

Johnson holds an Economics degree from Harvard University and a law degree from UC Berkeley. He also worked in the City Clerk Department before moving to the City Auditor’s office.

Other 7th District candidates include Jill Hill and Roberto Uranga, husband of current 7th District Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga. Hill is a consultant to the City’s Environmental Services Bureau and co-founder and president of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance. Uranga is a trustee for Long Beach City College.

Uranga began his campaign at least two months before Johnson and is expected to have strong fundraising support as well.  Hill announced her candidacy just last week.