Council Race Fundraising Update
Who’s Got It and Who Doesn’t
If money is the mother’s milk of politics, then there must be some women around with very sore breasts. The election for the three Santa Barbara City Council districts is now hitting the home stretch — and pretty much the only stretch — in what appears to be both a lackluster affair and a nail biter, depending on which of the three districts one is regarding.
Of the 12 candidates whose names appear on the ballot, only ten are actually campaigning. Not all of them, however, are asking for money required to run what’s deemed a viable campaign. Campaign fundraising is conducted for a host of reasons obvious and not so obvious: to hire campaign consultants, buy ads, pay for mailers, hire precinct walkers, impress possible supporters and intimidate the opposition. Candidates just submitted their second campaign disclosure statements to the city clerk’s office. Campaign wonks eyeball the second disclosures even more aggressively than the first, contending they reveal a candidate’s ability to maintain fundraising levels at a sustained pitch. Anything less they seize upon as a sign of weakness. Such statements tend to show which interest groups are backing which candidates and with what intensity. Since many seeking elected office couch their remarks on the campaign trail in strategically bland language designed to offend no one, campaign donations can aid and abet the public in divining the true heart and soul of those seeking your ballot.
District One: The Eastside
Jason Dominguez
Total raised: $24,430.15
Total raised last reporting period (July 1 to September 24): $24,430.15
Total cash last period: $19,434
Loans and in-kind: $4,995
Contributors:
California Real Estate Political Action Committee: $2,500
Patrick Dominguez (relative): $5,000
Islay Investments (Tony Romasanta): $1,000
Jim and Sharon Westby: $3,000*
Jim Westby is a retired General Motors executive who functions as chief strategist for a successful alliance of political conservatives and those upset about higher housing densities, including many old-school, traditional slow-growthers. He was instrumental in the elections of councilmembers Dale Francisco, Frank Hotchkiss, Randy Rowse, and Michael Self.
Andria Martinez Cohen
Total raised: $23,734
Total raised last period: $13,423
Total cash last period: $13,423
Contributors:
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 620: $7,500*
SEIU 620 represents general City Hall employees in contract negotiations.
Andria Martinez Cohen: $5,055
Benjamin and Peggy Martinez (relatives): $3,000
Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County: $1,000
Gregg Hart, Santa Barbara City Council: $500
Susan Rose, former county supervisor: $500
Jacqueline Inda
Total raised: $20,227
Total raised last period: $11,823
Total cash last period: $7,990
Contributors:
Russell Trenholm: $3,000*
Trenholm is a longtime behind-the-scenes advocate for grassroots ventures promoting Latino political causes and civil rights. He’s been an outspoken critic of the gang injunction, a supporter of district elections, and has issued studies indicating city police have targeted Latino immigrants for car impoundment.
Barry Cappello: $2,000*
Cappello was the attorney who sued City hall to force the change to district elections. Inda was a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Ray Franco: $1,000*
A former school board member, Franco is close with the group of older Latino activists giving rise to the district elections lawsuit.
Ben Chaverez: $611*
Like Inda, Chavarez was a plaintiff in the lawsuit that resulted in district elections.
Frank Banales*
Banales was a supporter of the district elections lawsuit: $625
District Two: The Mesa
Randy Rowse
Total raised: $22,017
Total raised last period: $13,128
Total cash last period: $12,438
Contributors:
California Real Estate Political Action Committee: $1,000
David Hardy, restaurant owner: $1,000
Eldon Ford, CPA: $1,000
Jim and Sharon Westby: $1,190
Mark Mattingly, real estate agent: $500
Helene Beaver (former city councilmember): $500
Pete Jordano, restaurant supply: $500
Harbor Restaurant: $250
Tee Off: $250
Luis Esparza
Total raised: $2,148
District Three: Westside
Cathy Murillo
Total raised: $50,521
Total raised last period: $17,500
Total cash last period: $16,736
Contributors:
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 620: $9,500
Carol Murillo (relative): $1,000
Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee: $500
Grant House (former city councilmember): $450
Sharon Byrne
Total raised: $26,378
Total raised last period: $25,279
Total cash last period: $25,279
Contributors:
Padaro Beach Grill: $5,000
Jim and Sharon Westby: $3,500
California Real Estate Political Action Committee: $2,500
John Dixon: $1,000
Dixon served on the Board of Directors for the Milpas Community Association (MCA), for which Byrne is a paid executive.
Richard and Mimi Gunner, waterfront hotel owner: $1,000
Rick Feldman, Eyeglass Factory: $500*
Feldman was active with the MCA.
Tony Romasanta, Islay Investments: $500
Art Bosse: $500
Brooks Firestone: $250
Christine Cardoso
Total: $3,778
Total cash: $1,699
Contributors:
Christine Cardoso: $1,049
Steve Golis, real estate broker: $500
Russell Trenholme: $2,079 to buy posters
