#savedyouaclick

According to Elizabeth Bergman, an associate professor of political science at Cal State East Bay, the outside money is evidence of the toss-up nature of the race, and the way politics has been played since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) decision, which knocked down limits on corporate campaign spending. Such independent expenditures are often made without the knowledge or consent of a particular candidate.

“They don’t just throw their money around willy-nilly – they make good, astute investments,” Bergman said. “This one makes particular sense to me because it’s effectively an open seat.”

Lotta refining going on in the east bay.