Dan Morain of the Los Angeles Times writes today that the 2006 election is proving to be a boon for independent expenditure committees, especially as the campaign cycle draws to a close. Morain reports that four Southern California Native American tribes recently formed an independent expenditure committee funded with $3.1 million to support candidates who favor expansion of Indian casinos. Morain writes, “Political consultants believe that the tribes are about to spend additional sums on behalf of Tony Strickland, the Republican nominee for state controller, and Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), who is running for lieutenant governor. Both candidates have voted with the tribes in the past.” Another independent expenditure committee is reportedly being formed to assist the struggling campaign of Chuck Poochigian for attorney general.

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