Pro-James 'super PAC' receives $200,000 donation

An independent committee supporting Kevin James in the mayoral contest received a new infusion of cash, according to disclosure documents filed with the city over the weekend.

Better Way L.A., which has been airing ads on behalf of the sole Republican in the race, received $200,000 from Texas billionaire John Arnold, a hedge fund manager who specialized in natural gas trading before he retired at age 38.

The committee, which cannot legally coordinate with the candidate’s campaign, can receive unlimited donations.

Another Texas billionaire, Harold Simmons, has donated $600,000 to the effort, the majority of the funding that the committee has received.

But the committee was running out of money, prompting James on Saturday to announce that he would "love" to see another donation from Simmons.

Apparently James' prayers were answered the previous day, when Arnold made his contribution.

The cash infusion will allow Better Way L.A. to continue to air ads in the closing days before the March 5 primary.

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-- Seema Mehta

Photo: Mayoral candidate Kevin James. Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press