The PE reported Friday

that the California Dental Association (CDA) and the unions are both spending over a quarter million to support Assemblyman John Benoit and his opponent Russ Bogh respectively.  In the AD80 race, it is a little scary to see Democrats in the desert so organized and well funded.  Not too long ago, there was hardly an organized Democratic Party in Riverside County to speak of.  But now, "There has been more than $625,000 in independent expenditures in the race -- significantly more than the four candidates' combined spending as of two weeks ago." (Click here for the Press Enterprise article).

The statewide unions representing school employees, nurses and state workers spent $560,000 to promote Coachella school board member Manuel Perez.

Cathedral Councilman Greg Pettis pointed to $21,000 in anti-Perez spending by the Desert Stonewall Democrats.

In the SD37 race:

CDA spent $360,000 to promote Benoit and oppose Bogh.

Unions spent almost $270,000 to promote Bogh and oppose Benoit.