independent spending – Independent expenditures are rapidly expanding in California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction primary, with outside groups pouring more than $5 million into support for Richard Barrera, while candidates’ direct donations show slower growth ahead of
By the time voters get to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction primary, the campaign money trail already has a distinct shape—less driven by candidates themselves than by outside organizations moving in late.
In late April and early May. independent expenditures began to pick up speed in a way that stands out against the rhythm of the 2018 state superintendent primary race. where the timing was comparatively different. In filings from that period, outside organizations started spending to back candidates.
The largest single push came from the California Teachers Association’s independent expenditure committee. which spent over $5 million on consulting and ads to support Richard Barrera. a longtime San Diego Unified board trustee. The California Charter School Association added another $40,000, directing TV and online ads to support him as well.
Direct donations looked steadier—and smaller—by comparison. Between the previous April 18 campaign finance filings and the May 16 deadline. the last deadline before Tuesday’s primary. candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction raised more than $300. 000 in direct monetary donations. That total represents an 18% increase over the previous total across the eight candidates who filed their forms electronically.
Even with that overall growth, the figures show how uneven the race is becoming depending on where the money originates. Anthony Rendon. a former state Assembly speaker. raised nearly $155. 000. the most among the candidates. and also saw the largest increase with a 36% jump. His fundraising benefited from a head start as well: he entered the race with $1.1 million from his previous campaign for state treasurer.
Al Muratsuchi, a state Assembly member, raised $61,000 in contributions, placing second. Josh Newman, a senior fellow at UC Irvine, reported $42,000.
While Rendon led in total money raised, Sonja Shaw added the most individual donors. The board president of the Chino Valley Unified School District added 318 people or organizations giving to her campaign for the first time since the last filing.
Barrera’s outside support came with its own direct-donor activity. In the latter half of April and the first half of May, he attracted 195 new first-time donors. Rendon, however, drew 37 new donors—still enough to more than double his previous total of 28.
The contrast is hard to miss: independent spending built momentum late in the cycle around Barrera. while direct donations across the field rose more gradually. The May 16 deadline captured the last stretch of candidate fundraising. but the independent expenditure committee spending—especially the California Teachers Association’s over $5 million—suggests the race’s next phase is being shaped as much by outside consultants and ads as by the candidates’ own checkbooks.
As the primary approaches, the question for voters may be less about whether money is flowing and more about what kind of spending is driving attention—advertising and consulting from independent groups on one side, and candidate-raised contributions rising at a slower pace on the other.
California schools State Superintendent of Public Instruction California Teachers Association independent expenditures Richard Barrera campaign finance Anthony Rendon Al Muratsuchi Josh Newman Sonja Shaw Chino Valley Unified School District
So teachers are basically running the election now?
I don’t get it, like $5 million is nothing for CA politicians? Everybody always says “independent” but it’s still tied to somebody.
Wait the California Charter School Association only spent $40k?? That seems like they’re mad but not really? Also Rendon started with $1.1 million so of course he wins, money just compounds.
It’s wild how it says “outside groups” poured in late April/early May and it’s not candidate money… but somehow it still becomes “their” race. Like the ads are already decided before people even vote. Charter schools and teachers fighting over who’s in charge of schools meanwhile my district can’t even keep buses on schedule.