[img]1574|left|Kevin James||no_popup[/img]As the only non-liberal, the only non-officeholder in the Los Angeles mayoralty race, the conservative Kevin James welcomes offers of assistance – especially such as one that curiously floated into his space on angel’s wings over the weekend.
Not holding office is a sizable enough rut to climb from in this town, but when you have “conservative” attached to your political philosophy in a bastion of liberalism, it is like locking leg irons onto an Olympic swimmer in a sprint race.
One day after one of the most reputable journalists at the Los Angeles Times reported that Fred Davis, prominent GOP strategist, was about to provide a major boost to the James campaign, the candidate was excited.
“I am thrilled to have the help,” Mr. James said.
The presence of Mr. Davis could be a game-changer, or it could be notably less momentous.
Mr. James said he met Mr. Davis last July at a C-Span event in Culver City where Mr. Davis was speaking. However, they have not yet communicated about a role in the campaign that is roaring into its final three months.
Getting Together
“I was in the audience, and I asked a question of him, maybe more than one, ” said the former federal prosecutor who is running fourth in fundraising. “Of course I knew of him, but I never had met him.
“Later, we ended up speaking because I guess he had heard of me as a mayoral candidate. We talked a long time. They were sweeping the floors and kind of kicked us out.”
While David Zahniser reported in the Times that Mr. Davis’s Better Way LA committee has raised almost $500,000 for Mr. James and is chasing a fresh $3.5 million in future donations, this is kind of long distance information for the candidate. They have not connected lately.
Mr. Davis has worked for the campaigns of former President George W. Bush, ex-Gov. Schwarzenegger and U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina.
“We have not hooked up or made any decisions (since the story broke),” Mr. James said. “Fred operates on his own.
“The first I heard of (Better Way LA) was when I read it in the Los Angeles Times on my Google Alert on Friday night.”
But the main plan is no secret.
“He has set up a (super PAC) whose goal is to benefit my campaign.”
Mr. James had not yet examined the filing for further detailing.
“It is clear,” he said, “that he is going to benefit my campaign. So far, though, I don’t know more.”
