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School Board Steve Zimmer’s campaign fundraising has been less than stellar in terms of direct contributions, but it got a big boost this week courtesy of an Independent Expenditure (IE) from SEIU Local 99, which represents classified LAUSD employees.

According to the latest expenditure reports, SEIU Local 99 has thrown down $68,688 to support Zimmer, much of it going to phone-banking and polling (you can see the phone-banking script here).

Zimmer isn’t the only endorsed candidate on whose behalf SEIU Local 99 has begun spending money.  SEIU’s IE campaign also put in $14,418 in support of Monica Garcia and $48,075 in support of Antonio Sanchez.

However, the Westside District 4 contest (Zimmer vs. Kate Anderson) is the only race where the SEIU and the Coalition for School Reform have endorsed different candidates.  The Coalition for School Reform has not yet disclosed any substantial expenditures.  This week’s news suggest that the SEIU could be bracing to mount massive campaigns on behalf of its candidates, and that District 4 is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races.

Previous posts: Different Rules for UTLA-PACE, Update: Outside Money Pouring In, Labor Groups Spend for Garcia & Sanchez, Reform Coalition Picks Garcia, Anderson & Sanchez