Groups spending millions in L.A. races

Special interests put nearly $4M into council elections, more than half of it in San Fernando Valley

With a week to go before election day, nearly $4 million in independent expenditures has been spent by outside groups hoping to influence the outcomes of the seven Los Angeles City Council races on the March 5 ballot. And more than half that amount has gone toward just two races — both in the San Fernando Valley.

As of Monday afternoon, more than $2.4 million of the $3.98 million in independent expenditures, or 60%, had been spent on the District 4 and 12 races, with both surpassing or nearing the $1 million mark from independent expenditures spending, according to the latest filings with the city's ethics commission.

In District 4, where Councilmember Nithya Raman is hoping to fend off two challengers, special interest groups have poured more than $1.4 million into either promoting or attacking her — or her best known challenger, Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Ethan Weaver.

In District 12 in the Northwest Valley, more than $981,000 had been spent by special interest groups — all in support of Councilmember John Lee or in attacking his opponent, former Los Angeles City Ethics Commission board President Serena Oberstein. The support for Lee comes amid allegations of ethics violations that the councilmember has vehemently denied and is contesting.

There is no doubt that spending by special interest groups can sway an election, but just how much bang are these groups getting for their bucks?

Cal State Northridge political science professor Tom Hogen-Esch said there comes a point when people's mailboxes become so inundated with campaign mailers that it's questionable how much information actually gets through to voters.