Rod Wright

The California Fair Political Practices Commission released a report Thursday showing that independent expenditures on state races since 2001 have nearly topped $100 million, with more than $11 million being spent in the June 2008 primary campaign.

An FPPC report on independent expenditures noted that state laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2001 limited direct contributions to legislative candidates, and similar laws took effect for statewide office candidates on Nov. 6, 2002.

The commission's chairman, in a press release, noted that such independent expenditures would seem to thwart the will of the voters, who enacted those contribution limits by passing Proposition 34 in November 2000.

Saturday's debate among three of the four contenders vying to replace state Sen. Ed Vincent (D-25) doubled as an early indication of the support they can expect among hardcore Democrats, and in which regions. Former Gardena Mayor Don Dear was not present for the event, which pitted current 52nd Assembly District seatholder Mervyn Dymally against former Assemblyman Rod Wright and community activist Kevin Biggers. Wright gained the most votes during the straw poll, but Dymally and Biggers both drew enough support that neither can be counted out - especially Dymally.