Pérez keeps cash advantage in controller race

Reporting from Sacramento — Assemblyman John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) has maintained a solid fundraising lead in the race for state controller, and new reports show him with $1.8 million in the bank as of May 17.

Pérez, who was the Assembly speaker until earlier this month, is counting on the cash to fuel a television advertising campaign until the June 3 primary.

The other major Democratic candidate in the race, Board of Equalization member Betty Yee, had $115,000 cash on hand. Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, the leading Republican candidate, banked $70,000.

Pérez has spent the most money on his campaign this year, dropping $838,000 into the race, compared to $591,400 for Yee and $344,800 for Swearengin.

The controller’s seat is being vacated by John Chiang, a Democrat who is running for treasurer. He has had a wide fundraising lead over his Republican opponent, Greg Conlon.

Reports showed Chiang with $2.4 million for his campaign, while Conlon had not filed his report as of Friday morning.