California candidates began race to June with $42 million in bank

California legislative candidates on the June 7 ballot headed into the final several weeks of primary campaigning with almost $42 million in the bank, according to recent filings with the state.

The nearly 300 people running for the Assembly and state Senate collectively had $41.7 million cash on hand as of April 23.

Campaign accounts of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, showed the highest cash balance April 23, $1.4 million. Legislative leaders typically raise the most money, with much of it going to help candidates in more competitive races.

Assemblywoman Patty Lopez, D-San Fernando, had the smallest cash-on-hand balance of any incumbent up for re-election: $1,597. The man she defeated in 2014, former Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, reported more than $316,000 in the bank for his well-funded effort to win back the seat. (Post continues below. More details available at The Money Trail.)

Running for office isn’t cheap, though, and candidates frequently loan their campaigns money or accumulate unpaid bills to consultants, print shops and other political businesses.

As of April 23, June candidates reported $4.2 million in outstanding debt.

Campaign accounts of Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, listed $187,000 in outstanding debt, followed by $186,000 for state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Manteca, and $162,000 for Andy Pugno, a Republican attorney running for the Roseville-centered 6th Assembly District.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 11:30 AM with the headline "California candidates began race to June with $42 million in bank."