Whitman, Poizner Pour Cash Into California Primary

A pair of super-rich Republicans are ladling millions of their own dollars into the California gubernatorial primary, even though they’re both behind in the polls. This week Steve Poizner pulled $15 million out of his wallet for his run at the governor’s office, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, but that still leaves him behind Meg Whitman, who has tossed $19 million into the pot.

Poizner’s move comes as he’s trailing Whitman 4-to-1 in the polls, and some suspect he’s preparing to unleash a barrage of negative ads. But Whitman isn’t the only other horse in the race, or even the frontrunner. Rep. Tom Campbell is also ahead of Poizner, and Attorney General Jerry Brown leads all candidates, despite having spent little. Then again, there’s still plenty of time for the money to work its magic; 44% of Republicans are undecided. (More California stories.)