SACRAMENTO Ü The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) reported today that California trial lawyers contributed $2.5 million to incumbents and candidates in statewide and legislative races between January 1, 1999, and the March 7 primary election.

Nearly $2 million of the total came directly from individual lawyers and law firms. The remaining funds, just under a half million dollars, was contributed through trial lawyer political action committees.

That total remains far below the $10.3 million contributed to statewide and legislative officeholders and candidates in the 1997-1998 election cycle.

Reports filed at the Secretary of State's office show that the bulk of those funds (just under $1.7 million) were received by legislators and candidates for legislative office. Statewide office holders received $786,000. Governor Gray Davis' campaign received $543,900 (4% of his total contributions) and Attorney General Bill Lockyer received $134,300 (11% of his total contributions) from trial lawyers.

"The plaintiffs' trial lawyers are a narrow but well-financed group that is working daily in Sacramento to eliminate arbitration agreements in health care plans. This group can spend millions of dollars on political contributions with plenty of money left over to buy the health care of their choosing," commented John H. Sullivan, CJAC president. "The vast majority of Californians not so well-situated must rely on the Legislature to protect them from legislation that primarily benefits the litigation industry and drives up the cost of health care for people and small business who can barely afford it now."

Sullivan added that political contributions are a legitimate part of our freedom to communicate and select government representatives. However, the public should know when a small few are running a massive program to elect representatives to promote their narrow agenda.

Contributions by recipient and prior year contributions can be found by visiting www.cjac.org.