State Sen. Ellen Corbett, Rep. Eric Swalwell

CONGRESS//15TH DISTRICT//CAMPAIGN FINANCE | Less than nine months until the June 2014 primary, freshman Rep. Eric Swalwell possesses a campaign war chest four times larger than fellow Democrat State Sen. Ellen Corbett, his likely opponent for the 15th Congressional District.

Swalwell built upon a strong fundraising performance from earlier this year, according to the campaign finance reports released Wednesday, with $279,428 in contributions. Through the current election cycle, Swalwell has raised $807,936. As of Sept. 30, the campaign maintains $614,262 cash-on-hand after $69,598 in expenditures. Swawell has spent $223,520 total for his re-election during this cycle, according to the report.

One-third of the Swalwell’s contributions, however, came from political action committees in the the defense, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. Overall, 40 percent of Swalwell’s contributions have come from special interests groups.

Among the political class, Swalwell received donations this election cycle from campaign committees associated with Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) ($4,000); Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) ($2,000) and Francisco Zermeno for Hayward Mayor ($500).

In addition, former Assemblymember John Dutra, Sr. contributed $2,500 to Swalwell’s campaign; his son, former Fremont Council candidate John Dutra, Jr. ($2,700); former Alameda County Sheriff Tom Orloff ($1,500); former Assemblymember Fiona Ma ($250); former state controller Steve Westly ($2,000) and former Hayward school boardmember Jesus Armas ($500).

Corbett, however, has continued a somewhat languid pace in attracting campaign finance, raising $36,502 during the period ending Sept. 30, according to finance reports. During this election cycle, Corbett has raised $240,512 in campaign contributions. After spending just $9,268 during the past filing period, Corbett reports $143,417 cash-in-hand, according to finance reports.

Much of Corbett’s fundraising draws upon her strong contacts in San Leandro where she was once mayor and the State Senate. Campaign committees for State Sens. Darrell Steinberg and Mark Leno both gave $1,000 during the last reporting period. The re-election committee of Swalwell’s past opponent, Pete Stark, also donated $2,000 toward the defeat of his young rival. Union City Mayor Carol Vernaci contributed $350, according the finance report.

Patrick Kennedy, the founder of innovative San Leandro data processing company, OsiSoft, along with his wife, contributed a total of $10,000 to Corbett’s campaign. Among other notable contributors is San Leandro businessman Anthony Batarse ($2,300); Attorney and current San Leandro Zoning and Adjustments Commissioner Philip Daly ($1,200) and Alameda County labor leader Josie Camacho ($500).