Gallegly Ahead in Campaign Financing

Four months before the general election in November, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) is trouncing Democratic challenger Kevin Ready in campaign financing.

Gallegly, who is seeking his fifth term, had $149,217 in his campaign account as of June 30, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. In contrast, Ready, a Santa Barbara County deputy counsel, had $169.

Despite his huge financial advantage, Gallegly said he is not taking his opponent lightly.

“I will continue to take (Ready) as seriously as I would any candidate,” said Gallegly, whose district covers all of Ventura County except for most of Thousand Oaks. “If I ever fail, it will not be due to complacency.”

But Ready said he is undaunted by Gallegly’s fund-raising prowess.

“As an incumbent, he’s going to have an enormous advantage in collecting money,” said Ready, who spent $9,170 to win the Democratic nomination in June.