FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2019
Contact: Jesse M. Switzer
Phone: 818-631-5377
Email: jesse@loraineforla.com
Dr. Loraine Lundquist easily leads the field in cash-on-hand, solidifying her status as underdog turned frontrunner in the race for Council District 12.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CA – Filings released by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission yesterday turned heads as Dr. Loraine Lundquist, a first time candidate without pre-existing ties to the halls of political power, reported her campaign had the most most cash on hand, more money raised from small donors than any other candidate, and received the maximum level of public matching funds before any other candidate even qualified for them.
In the first reporting period before the June 4 special election to fill the seat vacated by Mitch Englander, Dr. Lundquist raised over $122,150 and has qualified for $151,000 as part of the city's landmark public campaign finance program. The city matching fund initiative is designed to empower grassroots candidates with strong support in their communities by making them financially competitive in races normally dominated by money from political insiders and special interests.
To be eligible for the newly implemented program, candidates must raise a minimum of 100 contributions from individuals within the council district, reach a threshold of at least $20,000 in small-dollar donations, and agree to participate in a public debate or town hall. Dr. Lundquist stated, "The city’s public financing reforms are doing exactly what they were meant to do – enable everyday community leaders like me to become competitive and stop the revolving door of political insiders at City Hall.”
In addition to surpassing these requirements, Dr. Lundquist has received more contributions than any other candidate in the race. So while other candidates have tapped donors with deeper pockets, Dr. Lundquist has garnered more support from her community. In fact, she has more donors from within the district than the next three Democrats combined. Even in a non-partisan race, the distinction is important since voter registration in the district now favors Democrats over Republicans by 20 percent.
An astrophysicist, sustainability educator at Cal State Northridge, foster parent, and working mother of three is running on a platform of rooting out corruption and bringing an evidenced based approach to city governance, making Los Angeles an economic leader in green jobs and technology, and tackling the affordable housing crisis.
As a female scientist who would bring a unique perspective to the council where there are currently only two other women serving, Dr. Lundquist's candidacy is drawing the attention of political observers. And her message is clearly resonating with voters; she is the only Democratic candidate to qualify for the ballot through signatures alone and the only candidate to be endorsed by a local Democratic club. She has earned endorsements from hundreds of civic and community leaders throughout Los Angeles.
Dr. Lundquist is also supported by Assemblymembers Laura Friedman and Christy Smith, the Women’s Alliance of Los Angeles, the National Women's Political Caucus-SFV, the National Union of Healthcare Workers, and the California Faculty Association - Northridge Chapter.
For more information go to LoraineForLA.com
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Paid for by Loraine Lundquist for City Council 2019-Special
FPPC ID# 1414927
9410 Owensmouth Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.