The cost of public service: campaign debt
Running for a City Council position can be a debt-accumulating experience—four of five current Yorba Linda council members have made nearly $25,000 in loans to their election committees, according to mid-year financial filings.
Commonly, candidates loan money to their campaigns; but while winners rely on future contributions from supporters to pay back the loans, unsuccessful contenders often end up with their dreams of city service dashed amid a pile of debt.
Of the sitting council, only Mayor Allen Castellano is debt free, with $3,453 ready for a potential third-term race in 2008. His only expense so far this year is $2,500 he gave former Councilwoman Keri Wilson in her failed comeback bid in the June election.
The largest debt belongs to Hank Wedaa, who loaned his committee $10,000. He raised an additional $21,457 for his winning June campaign and has $3,680 remaining for his already-announced 2008 re-election run.
Next-largest debt is $7,000 John Anderson loaned his 2006 campaign. His cash balance is $5,633, counting $1,500 from the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, which includes the DA investigators he’s worked with for 22 years.
Jan Horton’s debt is $5,950 she loaned her 2006 campaign, with her $3,730 cash balance including $1,250 from the Orange County Professional Firefighters’ Association. She’s an Orange County Fire Authority director.
The smallest personal loan ($2,000) and cash balance ($762) belong to Jim Winder, who’s widely expected to seek a third term next year.
Former council member and current state Assemblyman Mike Duvall maintains his council account with a zero balance and a $10,000 loan he owes himself, and former Councilman Ken Ryan shows a $4,000 balance and no debt.
Wilson’s committee lists a $10,583 balance and $14,200 in loans she’s made to her 2002, 2006 and 2007 campaigns. She reported spending $16,602 in the June election.
Doug Dickerson, who ran third in the 2006 race for two seats, terminated his committee, forgiving $7,207 he loaned his campaign, and three-time candidate Jack Parra closed his account, forgiving $7,811 of his long-ago loan.
Of five other past candidates with active committees, Diana Hudson lists the largest cash balance ($29,487) and the largest debt ($26,453 in loans and an unpaid bill). She placed fifth out of 10 candidates in 2006.
A FINAL NOTE
The city’s most effective political action committee—Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation—raised $75,847 since forming two-and-one-half years ago.
While most of the money came in small $100-$250 amounts from scores of local people and businesses, Old Town residents Jane Adams and Matt Guptill each donated $11,100 to the group since February 2005.
Adams owns the picturesque property at the northeast corner of Plumosa Avenue and Lemon Drive; and Guptill owns the historic 1926 Dr. Richard Cochran home on the southeast corner of Olinda Avenue and Lemon Drive, both facing the public library.
Commonly, candidates loan money to their campaigns; but while winners rely on future contributions from supporters to pay back the loans, unsuccessful contenders often end up with their dreams of city service dashed amid a pile of debt.
Of the sitting council, only Mayor Allen Castellano is debt free, with $3,453 ready for a potential third-term race in 2008. His only expense so far this year is $2,500 he gave former Councilwoman Keri Wilson in her failed comeback bid in the June election.
The largest debt belongs to Hank Wedaa, who loaned his committee $10,000. He raised an additional $21,457 for his winning June campaign and has $3,680 remaining for his already-announced 2008 re-election run.
Next-largest debt is $7,000 John Anderson loaned his 2006 campaign. His cash balance is $5,633, counting $1,500 from the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, which includes the DA investigators he’s worked with for 22 years.
Jan Horton’s debt is $5,950 she loaned her 2006 campaign, with her $3,730 cash balance including $1,250 from the Orange County Professional Firefighters’ Association. She’s an Orange County Fire Authority director.
The smallest personal loan ($2,000) and cash balance ($762) belong to Jim Winder, who’s widely expected to seek a third term next year.
Former council member and current state Assemblyman Mike Duvall maintains his council account with a zero balance and a $10,000 loan he owes himself, and former Councilman Ken Ryan shows a $4,000 balance and no debt.
Wilson’s committee lists a $10,583 balance and $14,200 in loans she’s made to her 2002, 2006 and 2007 campaigns. She reported spending $16,602 in the June election.
Doug Dickerson, who ran third in the 2006 race for two seats, terminated his committee, forgiving $7,207 he loaned his campaign, and three-time candidate Jack Parra closed his account, forgiving $7,811 of his long-ago loan.
Of five other past candidates with active committees, Diana Hudson lists the largest cash balance ($29,487) and the largest debt ($26,453 in loans and an unpaid bill). She placed fifth out of 10 candidates in 2006.
A FINAL NOTE
The city’s most effective political action committee—Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation—raised $75,847 since forming two-and-one-half years ago.
While most of the money came in small $100-$250 amounts from scores of local people and businesses, Old Town residents Jane Adams and Matt Guptill each donated $11,100 to the group since February 2005.
Adams owns the picturesque property at the northeast corner of Plumosa Avenue and Lemon Drive; and Guptill owns the historic 1926 Dr. Richard Cochran home on the southeast corner of Olinda Avenue and Lemon Drive, both facing the public library.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
<< Home