SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 46th State Assembly District candidate Brian C. Johnson will report that he has raised over $350,000 from over 500 separate donors as of the December 31st reporting deadline. This fundraising report shows the strong and diverse base of support for his bid to become the San Fernando Valley's newest representative in the State Legislature.
While official reports will not be available until January 31st, Johnson suggests that his fundraising strength will give him an advantage looking ahead toward the June primary. "I've spent the past few months meeting with residents in every neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley about how we can provide the best neighborhood public schools for our children, create and retain jobs in the Valley, and put our state back on a path to fiscal sustainability. I'm deeply humbled that many of these Valley residents, teachers, education champions and business and community leaders share this vision with me. This opportunity will help us build a stronger grassroots organization to mobilize our message that we need new, creative solutions in Sacramento to fix our schools and to balance our budget."
Johnson's campaign consultant, Harvey Englander, put the numbers into perspective. "The financial support that Brian Johnson has generated exceeds virtually all non-incumbent Assembly candidates, let alone any first-time candidate, at this point in any Valley Assembly race. This is truly a formidable amount for someone who hasn't run for office before or worked their entire career in politics. We will have to wait and see what Brian's opponents report, but I anticipate Brian will have a significant fundraising advantage over the other candidates."
Englander was also quick to point out that none of the $350,000 came in the form of personal or family loans. "A lot of times candidates will loan themselves money right around reporting deadlines to make it seem like they've raised more than they really have. That money comes right back out as soon as the reporting is done. That is absolutely not the case with Brian Johnson."
The newly drawn 46th Assembly District includes the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Valley Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City, North Hills, Lake Balboa and the Hollywood Hills.
Brian C. Johnson is a Democrat, the former Executive Director of Teach for America in Los Angeles, and the current Executive Director of the Larchmont Charter Schools, a network of high-performing and racially and socio-economically diverse public schools in Los Angeles.