Council campaigns are mostly self-funded
So far this year the candidates seeking three seats on the Yorba Linda City Council are spending more of their own cash for campaign expenses, while drawing money from a relatively small number of contributors.
The most recent election finance filings, which detail income and expenses through Sept. 30, show contenders taking in $34,297 from donors but loaning or giving their campaigns $78,188 from their own pockets.
More contributions are expected closer to the Nov. 4 election date, and, based on past practice, some money might be received after the votes are counted. Candidates have until Jan. 31 to file a full accounting of their finances through Dec. 31.
Two of the nine candidates, Michael Marien and Richard Wolfinger, posted statements on their campaign Web sites that they’re not accepting any contributions.
Marien didn’t file a form with the City Clerk’s office, which indicates he’s spent less than $1,000, and Wolfinger’s report shows $7,228 in expenses. The $1,800 all contenders paid for a 200-word statement mailed to voters with sample ballots isn’t required to be listed.
Contribution and loan totals reported include Mark Abramowitz, $350 and $21,900; Doug Dickerson, $3,513 and $3,100; Ed Rakochy, $3,253 and $9,000; Nancy Rikel, $7,564 and $15,000; Mark Schwing, $2,334 and $5,800; Hank Wedaa, $13,514 and $10,000; and Jim Winder, $3,769 and $6,160.
Candidates loan rather than give money to their campaigns because they can redeem the loans from future contributions. Many winners eventually repay themselves before they leave office, while losers usually write off the loans or keep them on the books for years.
Three candidates hired consultants to help run their campaigns, according to the reports. Dickerson and Winder, retired Brea Police captains, each employed Hart and Associates of Newport Beach, and Wolfinger, a semi-retired contractor, paid Orange’s KB Rutledge.
The political action committee Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation, which took in a total of $65,619 in cash contributions the past three years, reported just $1,550 this year, along with $7,792 worth of items for a series of yard sale fundraisers.
Two sales netted $2,945 for the grassroots group that supported two successful petition drives, the Measure B election victory and council winners John Anderson, Jan Horton and Wedaa in 2005-07. This year, YLRRR endorsed Rakochy, Rikel and Schwing.
A FINAL NOTE
Wedaa’s “casino night” fundraiser in April raised the most money to date, but payments ate up $6,618 of the $13,489 cash haul. Interestingly, the YLRRR members who helped arrange the event and made donations, now support other candidates.
The most recent election finance filings, which detail income and expenses through Sept. 30, show contenders taking in $34,297 from donors but loaning or giving their campaigns $78,188 from their own pockets.
More contributions are expected closer to the Nov. 4 election date, and, based on past practice, some money might be received after the votes are counted. Candidates have until Jan. 31 to file a full accounting of their finances through Dec. 31.
Two of the nine candidates, Michael Marien and Richard Wolfinger, posted statements on their campaign Web sites that they’re not accepting any contributions.
Marien didn’t file a form with the City Clerk’s office, which indicates he’s spent less than $1,000, and Wolfinger’s report shows $7,228 in expenses. The $1,800 all contenders paid for a 200-word statement mailed to voters with sample ballots isn’t required to be listed.
Contribution and loan totals reported include Mark Abramowitz, $350 and $21,900; Doug Dickerson, $3,513 and $3,100; Ed Rakochy, $3,253 and $9,000; Nancy Rikel, $7,564 and $15,000; Mark Schwing, $2,334 and $5,800; Hank Wedaa, $13,514 and $10,000; and Jim Winder, $3,769 and $6,160.
Candidates loan rather than give money to their campaigns because they can redeem the loans from future contributions. Many winners eventually repay themselves before they leave office, while losers usually write off the loans or keep them on the books for years.
Three candidates hired consultants to help run their campaigns, according to the reports. Dickerson and Winder, retired Brea Police captains, each employed Hart and Associates of Newport Beach, and Wolfinger, a semi-retired contractor, paid Orange’s KB Rutledge.
The political action committee Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation, which took in a total of $65,619 in cash contributions the past three years, reported just $1,550 this year, along with $7,792 worth of items for a series of yard sale fundraisers.
Two sales netted $2,945 for the grassroots group that supported two successful petition drives, the Measure B election victory and council winners John Anderson, Jan Horton and Wedaa in 2005-07. This year, YLRRR endorsed Rakochy, Rikel and Schwing.
A FINAL NOTE
Wedaa’s “casino night” fundraiser in April raised the most money to date, but payments ate up $6,618 of the $13,489 cash haul. Interestingly, the YLRRR members who helped arrange the event and made donations, now support other candidates.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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