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The money chase is on.

Through the first reporting period for LA Unified’s open District 1 board seat, Alex Johnson has opened a wide margin over the other six candidates in the race.

Johnson, an education aide to LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas who has backing from his boss, as well as former congresswoman Diane Watson and retired LA County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, raised $113,051 from Jan. 1 through March 17, according to the LA City Ethics Commission.

Second was Genethia Hudley-Hayes, at $93,070, but her total includes $37,000 that she loaned her campaign. Without that, Johnson has more than a 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her, with about two months before the June 3 special election.

“I’m very pleased and gratified by the strong showing of financial support I have received from a broad cross section of people, groups and organizations from throughout our city and its communities,” Johnson said in a statement today. “The backing I’ve received is heartwarming and encouraging. I intend to work hard to build upon the trust placed in me by elected officials, civic leaders, educators, business executives and religious leaders.”

George McKenna, a former LA Unified administrator who has won the support of U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, LA City Council member Bernard Parks and former Council member Jan Perry, ranked third in the money standings with a total of $57,825. But he, too, loaned his campaign money, $10,000, and accepted $1,876 in non-monetary contributions, putting his real fund-raising total at $45,948.

The other candidates are far behind.

Omarosa Manigault registered $21,340, but her total includes a $7,500 loan and non-monetary contributions of $9,390, reflecting a fund-raising total of just $4,450.

Sherlett Hendy-Newbill raised $4,836, putting her ahead of Manigault in dollars raised. Hattie McFrazier raised $3,604, and Rachel Johnson raised nothing.

Among the leaders, Johnson has the most cash-on-hand, $105,093, followed by Hudley-Hayes ($83,951) and McKenna ($39,530).

Johnson also leads with 54 contributions of the maximum individual amount allowed, $1,100, and another 15 of $1,000. Hudley-Hayes had 28 contributions at the maximum, and McKenna had 20.

Hudley-Hayes’ contributors seemed to tail off a bit after Johnson accused her of dishonesty on her resume. Prior to when the charges emerged, on March 6, she had raised $32,370. Since then, she has raised $23,700.

In a possible hint of where union backing may go, Hendy-Newbill received $200 from Josh Pechthalt, president of the California Federation of Teachers.