Open-primary backers banking on opposition not raising much cash

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Supporters of a measure on the ballot next month to change the way political primaries are run in California are confident they can win -- so long as opponents are unable to raise big campaign cash to beat them.

That’s been the case so far. State filings show that no serious opposition money has emerged.

Proponents, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have been busy filling their campaign coffers. The governor’s California Dream Team political committee made a $1.25-million contribution Thursday, bringing the total raised in support of the initiative to almost $2.8 million. Supporters of the measure, which would do away with the single-party primary system, say it would favor moderate candidates and help loosen Sacramento’s partisan gridlock.

Both major parties oppose the idea, arguing that it would increase campaign spending by forcing candidates to appeal to a much broader electorate during primaries. It would also begin to erode the immense power party bosses have over California’s political process.

Currently, registered Republicans and registered Democrats vote in separate primaries to choose their party’s candidate. An open primary would put all candidates on the same ballot and allow all voters to choose from the entire list. The top two vote-getters – regardless of party -- would face each other in a runoff election.

Putting the open-primary measure on the ballot was a key concession demanded last year by then-state Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) in exchange for his deciding vote on a state budget. Schwarzenegger then picked Maldonado to fill the vacant lieutenant governor’s seat. He was sworn in last week.

-- Jack Dolan in Sacramento