Capps, Maldonado War Chests Swell

In dueling press releases sent late last week, Representative Lois Capps and her top challenger in next year’s congressional election, former Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado, both indicated they had impressive amounts of cash in their respective bank accounts, with Capps reporting slightly more than $100,000 than the former politico.

Capps reported more than $642,000 in cash on hand for the second quarter, while Maldonado said he has $531,000. Capps claimed 85 percent of her contributions came from supporters in the Tri Counties, and Maldanado said he raised $538,789 from 174 individual contributors. The period ended June 30.

“Congresswoman Lois Capps will run a strong and well-financed grassroots campaign in 2012,” said Bill Carrick, Capps’s political consultant, in a press release. “Lois Capps knows how to win because she knows how to serve. Voters on the Central Coast know Lois Capps stands up for them and regardless of opponents or the final redistricting plan, they will respond positively to her candidacy in 2012.”

While the second quarter reports are important measuring sticks as campaigns begin to kick off, still to be determined is what district the two will fight over actually looks like. The original drawings released last month showed the 23rd District, which currently snakes up the coast from Oxnard to San Luis Obispo, would shift to encompass most of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

Estimates have the Democrats dropping from an advantage of 12 percentage points in district voter registration to four. The second round of maps should be ready later this month, and the commission that’s been working on them expects to hold a vote August 15.

Also up in the air is whether Maldonado will face any competition for the Republican nomination. “It has been an honor to serve the people of the central coast as a Mayor, Legislator, and California’s 47th Lt. Governor,” said Maldonado in his own press release. “I have proven track record of being independent, bi-partisan, fiscally responsible and a problem solver. I plan on providing that governing style to our nation’s capital on behalf of all the people on the Central Coast.”