Napolitano Outspends 32nd District Opponents By Nearly 7-to-1 Margin

Rep. Grace Napolitano has far out spent and out fundraised her opponents in the race for the 32nd Congressional District, ahead of the June 5 primary. 

The 32nd Congressional district, includes Baldwin Park, El Monte, Covina, West Covina, San Dimas, parts of Monrovia and Arcadia, and a southern portion of Glendora.

According to Federal Election Commission data, Napolitano's campaign has spent a total of $337,026, nearly seven times as much as her three primary opponents combined.

Napolitano's competitors, Democrat Bill Gonzalez and Republican David Miller, have only spent $7,726 and $5,599 as of May 16. 

Another democratic contender in the race, Norma Macias, a city council member of El Monte and cousin of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-Cerritos), spent $37,000 but dropped out of the race.

Napolitano's campaign has also raised $344,409, significantly more than either Gonzalez or Miller. More than $124,000 of Napolitano's campaign funds so far have come from individual contributors; $219,000 has been raised by PACs associated with the campaign.

Gonzalez and Miller, on the other hand, have raised just $3,340 and $5,420 from individual contributors each.

Gonzalez is a former policy analyst for Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Miller is an entrepreneur from Glendora who previously ran for congress in 2010.

In a phone interview, Miller said he was not surprised by how much money has affected this race.

"Money plays a large role in politics, and there is no question in this race that the unions have an advantage," Miller said. "My opponents, most notably Grace [Napolitano], are supported by the unions and big business."

However, Miller said his campaign was focused on using low cost methods to get his message to voters. 

"Without the support of the people getting a candidate voted is an uphill battle," he said.

"The biggest battle were having is in the minds of the people. They have to decide what kind of government they want to elect. If they want big government that's going to be in control of many aspects of their lives, then they'll vote that way. If they elect people like me who believe in the proper role of government, then they will get a small government."

Neither Napolitano nor Gonzalez' campaigns have responded to requests for comment.