Council Race Fundraising Update

Who’s Got It and Who Doesn’t

Fri Oct 02, 2015 | 06:00am

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

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