Cash Flows in Judge, Supe Races

If you want to run for judge, it helps to have either deep pockets or a generous mother. That, at least, is the lesson taught by the financial disclosure statements filed by the three men running for Santa Barbara County judge. Leading the pack was John MacKinnon, who reported raising $57,000. Of that sum, $47,000 was a loan from his mother, Evelyn. Candidate Kevin Ready reported raising $18,149-$11,414 of that coming from himself, and $2,000 coming from 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, and $850 from Ready’s wife, Olga. Jed Beebe reported raising $15,206. Although that was the least of the three, Beebe only loaned himself $1,100. He enjoyed donations ranging from $800 to $100 from eight judges, sitting and retired, as well as $1,000 from L.A. book dealer Dennis Marquand and another grand from Santa Maria McDonald’s franchisee Cherry Maddux.

In the battle for 4th District voters, incumbent Supervisor Joni Gray enjoyed a decisive financial edge over former Santa Maria police chief John Sterling. Gray raised nearly $88,000-only $3,000 of which were from loans. Sterling reported raising $24,000-$5,000 coming from Sterling and family and $2,000 from longtime Lompoc community activist Bess Christiansen.