Independent expenditure groups ramped up their spending in Assembly District 15 this week, trying to tip what's expected to be a close contest between Democrat Joan Buchanan and Republican Abram Wilson.

On Wednesday, Opportunity PAC spent $16,000 on door hangers to support Buchanan, adding to their election campaign total of $541,775, the largest of any IEC in an Assembly race this fall.

Another prominent group in the race, Californians for Jobs and Education, spent $16,004 on a mailer Wednesday and another $55,857 Thursday on a mailer and media buys opposing Buchanan. The same group spent $16,004 Wednesday on mailers and $49,238 Thursday on a mailer, media productions and media buys for Wilson.

Between the two candidates, Californians for Jobs and Education has spent more than $489,000 this year on IEs in AD 15.

Buchanan also received IE support from the PowerPac.Org Voter Fund, which spent $8,290 Wednesday on printing, postage and phone banking for her, and Service Employees International Union Local 1000 PAC, which spent $3,663 on staff time in October for her.

The CA Alliance -- Consumer Attorneys, Conservationists, Nurses spent $30,359 Wednesday on mailers opposing Wilson, the mayor of San Ramon.

In Assembly District 10, the Committee for Working Families--CA Labor Federation spent $21,200 Wednesday on door hangers for Democrat Alyson Huber, and Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC spent $28,522 Friday in staff time to support Huber.

Assembly District 30 candidate Danny Gilmore, a Republican, had $18,205 in opposition Wednesday in the form of a mailer from the State Building and Construction Trades Council of CA, while Democratic opponent Fran Florez had IEs of $32,549 in mailers Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from the group Californians for Good Jobs, Safe Streets, Outstanding Schools.

Florez also had support in $4,767 worth of staff expenses, time and unspecified further costs Friday from the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC.

ELSEWHERE on PolitickerCA.com:

• Same IECs still spending to influence Nor Cal Assembly races
• Buchanan airs attack ad on Wilson in AD 15
• FPPC documents more than $20 million in IEs this year