The 30th Congressional District encompasses a large area stretching from Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank to West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Larchmont Village, Miracle Mile and Park La Brea. (photo courtesy of congress.gov)

The Federal Elections Commission released fundraising totals on April 15 for candidates in the 2024 race to fill the seat currently held by Congressman Adam Schiff in the 30th Congressional District.

The field includes 10 candidates including current California Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) and California Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), former Los Angeles city attorney, state assemblyman and city councilman Mike Feuer, West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne and Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education member Nick Melvoin. Actor and former West Hollywood City Council candidate Ben Savage is also in the race, along with candidates G. Maebe Pudlo, Patrick Lee Gipson, Ronda Kennedy and Josh Bocanegra. The 30th Congressional District includes the communities of West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Larchmont Village, Miracle Mile, Park La Brea, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Schiff is running for United States Senate, seeking to fill the seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

The fundraising totals are from Jan. 1-March 31, the first period for which totals were required to be reported. Feuer topped the list with $654,294 raised, followed by Portantino ($610,183), Melvoin ($560,330), Friedman ($336,657), Savage ($101,998), Shyne ($98,028), Pudlo ($17,286) and Gipson ($2,118). Kennedy and Bocanegra reported that no funds were raised by their campaigns.

Feuer said the totals are a bellwether of where people are placing their support, and said he is grateful to have received contributions from diverse sources throughout the district. During his career in government, Feuer has worked to prevent gun violence, address climate change, expand health care, protect consumers and protect reproductive rights. He said he is busy campaigning and will be meeting with as many people as possible in the coming months.

“[The fundraising totals] reflect tremendous grassroots support. This is the best start to any campaign I have ever had in my career,” Feuer said. “It’s been an absolutely amazing start. I am encouraged at how this campaign is going. People can expect to see me everywhere. It’s very important for me to be in places where constituents can engage with me directly about the community.”

Portantino represents California’s 25th State Senate District, which includes Griffith Park, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Sunland and Tujunga, La Crescenta and La Cañada.

“I am extremely humbled and honored by the overwhelming grassroots support by local contributors, elected officials, activists and labor organizations for our campaign for Congress. Our message is resonating with CD 30 neighbors who want strong and sensible gun control laws, abortion access, a champion for climate change and environmental protection and someone who prioritizes our schools and our children’s health and well-being,” Portantino said. “I am proud of this campaign we are building together and eager to take our fight to Washington, D.C.”

Melvoin, a longtime educator who has served on the LAUSD Board since 2017, said his campaign has broad support including teachers, former students and community members.

“I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support my campaign has received,” Melvoin said. “From speaking with my friends and neighbors, it is clear we need leaders in Congress who will solve problems and deliver on the issues our communities care about most – homelessness, housing, reproductive rights and the environment. I am excited about the momentum behind our campaign for Congress and continuing to build support across the district.”

Friedman’s campaign also expressed encouragement with the totals.

“We are extremely pleased with our strong support so far, including powerful grassroots fundraising that demonstrates Laura’s broad base throughout the district,” read a statement from Friedman’s campaign.

Shyne was the only other candidate among the top tier who responded to requests for comment. She said she remains energized and encouraged.

“I’m so grateful for the early support for our campaign for Congress. We’re just getting started and expect to raise what we need in order to be competitive in this race,” Shyne said. “As West Hollywood mayor, I have also been working hard, out in our community every day. I’m proud of what we have been doing here in West Hollywood, we are focused on delivering results for each and every person in our community.”

The Federal Elections commission releases quarterly reports on campaign fundraising totals for all candidates running in federal elections. For information on the 30th Congressional District race, visit fec.gov/data/elections/house/CA/30/2024.