“‘You’re mistaken. I don’t have a commercial’: Record special interest funds present an ‘awkward’ situation for state candidates”

LAT:

Independent expenditures already have cracked $24 million in the run-up to the June 7 primary, with millions more likely to come in over the next week. The spending has set a record and is a hefty increase from $16.7 million spent two years ago.

The result? Voters are hearing less from the candidates they’re electing and more from oil companies, education advocates, business groups and labor unions.

“The candidate is not controlling the message,” said Bob Stern, an attorney who helped write California’s campaign finance rules. “It’s special interests trying to control the race and buy their way into the Legislature.”

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