Assemblymember Ricardo Lara and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
  
11:28am | Last week, an independent poll showed Assemblymember Ricardo Lara with a 6-point lead in the race for the new 33rd Senate District against fellow democrat Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal. 

In response to the story, Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal’s campaign released a statement to the Long Beach Post emphasizing the importance of money raised instead of polling numbers. “Lowenthal starts (her race for the) 33rd Senate (District) with (a) considerable money advantage,” according to Mike Shimpock, Lowenthal’s campaign spokesperson.

“What (Lara) didn’t announce was an unimpressive fundraising total of $72,000 (from both 2010 and 2012 committees) and outstanding debt from his 2010 campaign of $98,813,” Shimpock said. “That gives Lara a negative balance of -$26,813. So Lara starts his campaign $26,000 in the hole. Meanwhile, Bonnie Lowenthal has $415,457 cash on hand between her two committees, all of it transferable.”

Responding to Shimpock’s statement, Gabriel Sanchez, a spokesman for the Ricardo Lara for State Senate campaign told the Long Beach Post, “This independent poll shows this race is competitive and it will be won by the candidate who reaches out to voters best. Ricardo’ campaign will have the resources it needs to do just that. I’m surprised Bonnie’s campaign has already hit the panic button.”

More to come…