The California Legislature is poised to welcome one of its largest freshman classes in more than a decade, and special interest groups are spending millions on Democrat-versus-Democrat races in the November election to help decide which newcomer voters will send to Sacramento.
The independent campaigns bankrolled by giant tech companies, labor unions, law enforcement organizations and other major players at the state Capitol may sway the struggle between liberal and moderate lawmakers within the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority. The outcome could have a major effect on future laws on climate change and the environment, funding for schools and healthcare, criminal justice reform and worker and employer rights.
The stakes are high in four Democrat-on-Democrat races around Los Angeles, where more than $20 million has been funneled in from various political action committees seeking to boost their preferred candidates, according…
