Unions' deep pockets bode ill for Parks

Parks said the money unions are spending to elect his opponent is a clear sign that Ridley-Thomas would not be an independent voice. And business leaders who support Parks accuse the unions of trying to buy a seat on the five-member board, which reigns over the largest county government in the nation and is the largest public employer in California, setting salaries and benefits for 102,000 employees.

"It's very clear that organized labor intends to have tremendous influence on this race and with their candidate," said Carol Schatz, president of the Central City Assn., a downtown business advocacy group. "I don't think any special interest should attempt to control an election."

Parks' campaign manager, John Shallman, said the councilman has members of labor in his camp as well.

"We're very proud of our support among rank-and-file union members," Shallman said. "They admire the fact that Bernard Parks can't be bought or bossed around and neither can the voters of the 2nd District -- even for $4 million."

Business leaders who back Parks have also created an independent expenditure committee, the Council for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods, to support Parks and counteract the unions' contributions. Although they would not disclose their fundraising goals or how much they have collected, they acknowledge that they will be unable to raise the kind of money the unions have amassed.

"We're not going to match that," said Dominick Rubalcava, a spokesman for the group. "If you only have one side that is being heard, then it creates an imbalance, and I think that's what business is reacting to. There's a perception that the union calls the shots on everything."

Ridley-Thomas notes that he also has backing from business leaders, including Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. And he said the unions' strong backing does not mean he will be beholden to them if he is elected.

"I find that to be a cheap shot at best," he said. "I work on behalf of those who are my constituents and those are broadly defined. Included in that happens to be businesses."

And union leaders say the two candidates are running in a vast district, 2 million residents in an area extending from Culver City and Mar Vista to Watts and Compton.

"We believe as labor we have a responsibility to talk to every constituent," said Freeman, of SEIU. "If you just spend $1 on each resident, we still wouldn't have enough money."

But political observers say anyone who spends such large sums on behalf of a candidate expects a degree of access.

"It's a double-edged sword," said Dermot Givens, a lawyer and political consultant who has worked for both candidates but is not involved in this campaign. "We're going to get you in, but then you're our guy. That's what politics is about."

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jp.renaud@latimes.com