Independent expenditure committees formed in three Assembly races

The California Medical  Association has formed three independent expenditure committees for three closely watched state Assembly races.

The committee in  Assembly District 15, "Create Change, Support Joan Buchanan Independent Expenditure Committee, sponsored by the California Medical Association PAC," has a name that suggests its spending will benefit the Democrat in that race.

Buchanan, a school board member from Alamo, is running against Republican San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson in the 15th, where registration narrowly favors Democrats. The most recent representative, however, was termed-out Guy Houston (R-Dublin).

Matthew Del Carlo, Wilson's campaign manager, said the committee's formation is a sign of where the association's sympathies lie.

"All I can say is I guess they're agreeing with Joan's position to tax people more in order to get health care," Del Carlo said.

By contrast, Del Carlo said, Wilson's proposals would increase choices and reduce costs.

The listed purpose of the other two committees is to back Democrats Manuel Perez in Assembly District 80 and Fran Florez in Assembly District 30.

Both races are considered ones to watch, with Republicans hoping to keep 80 and take 30, where the termed-out assembly member, Nicole Parra, is a Democrat.

Earlier this year, the state Fair Political Practices Commission issued a report on independent expenditure groups, pointing out that by naming a group in a way that shows its intentions, such groups were skirting a law banning communication and cooperation between candidate committees and such groups.

The report pointed out that if a group named itself as supporting Candidate A, for example, Candidate A's campaign staff can take that knowledge into consideration for their own election strategy.

Del Carlo said such expenditures have been classified as free speech, so it's legal as long as it complies with other political reform law.