Big money being spent to defeat incumbent L.A. City Council member

A sitting Los Angeles City Council member might be facing an uphill reelection battle as the business community and unions for police officers and firefighters have joined together to attack her campaign and support an opponent.

Councilmember Nithya Raman, 4th District, is being opposed by an independent committee funded by the Los Angeles Police Protective League and real estate company Douglas Emmett Management, according to a report in LAist.

The company has contributed $400,000, while the LAPPL contributed $164,000.

In addition, Ethan Weaver, a deputy city attorney running against Raman, has received support from the United Fire Fighters of Los Angeles City, which has spent more than $300,000 to support him and attack Raman for allowing homelessness to increase while she’s been in office, according to the report.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Kilroy Realty also have made significant contributions to eject Raman,” according to LAist.

In contrast, Raman’s supporters, including “the hotel and restaurant workers union Unite Here Local 11 and Smart Justice, have attracted more than $200,000,” LAist adds.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Raman, however. She has outraised Weaver $368,000 to $252,000, according to Los Angeles Magazine.