One of the first things a candidate does when the declare their intent to run for a state legislative race, is decide whether to accept the voluntary spending caps.
This is a product of the Proposition 34 “campaign reform”. The idea behind Prop. 34 to give a benefit to candidates that agree not to spend so much money. The benefit is that the will be acknowledged in the ballot pamphlet as agreeing to obey spending limits. Sort of like a “that’s a god boy (or girl)” pat on the head for voters.
They also get to buy a ballot statement that is sent to all voters in the official sample ballot. The cost varies based on numbers, but is in the several thousands dollars range. You can see some Prop. 34 info here.
If you don’t agree, you don’t get these benefits, but you do get to blow the spending caps. The caps are currently $483,000 in an Assembly Primary and $724,000 in a State Senate Primary.
So how does this play out?
In safe districts like AD 60 and SD 29, the primary basically decides the General election victor.
In the 60th AD there are currently two candidates raising money, Curt Hagman and Larry Dick. Larry Dick has agreed to the limits. He can buy a statement if he wishes and "get the pat on the head" for not spending over $483,000. And he can buy the statement.
Hagman on the other hand doesn’t get those things, but can spend whatever he wants assuming he can raise significantly more than the $483,000. If he proves to be successful raising money this could be a big advantage.
Same story in SD 29 where Assemblyman Huff says he will blow the Prop. 34 limit and spend more than $724,000. While, former Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy will abide by the cap.
Again, even those candidates agreeing to the cap need to raise that kind of money anyways.
It is clear that Huff and Hagman have supreme confidence in their fundraising ability and are sending the signal that they will significantly out raise and spend their opponents. Time will tell.