Three Yorba Linda City Council members seeking re-election begin 2020 with sizable contributions

Three Yorba Linda City Council members who have announced intentions to seek re-election to the city's governing body in the November general election are beginning the year with sizable cash balances in their campaign treasuries.

Tara Campbell, Beth Haney and Gene Hernandez report a total $75,748 in 2020 election- year accounts, according to state-required finance disclosures filed by a Jan. 31 deadline.

To date, no potential opponents have opened accounts eligible to receive contributions to help finance campaigns for three council seats scheduled to appear on the Nov. 10 ballot. A four-week filing period for the positions opens mid-July at the city clerk's counter at City Hall.

Campbell, who will be seeking a second term, reported collecting $28,761 during 2019. After adding her cash balance at the beginning of 2019 and subtracting 2019 expenses, she reported $33,431 on hand to begin 2020.

Haney, also seeking a second term, reported collecting $24,774 during 2019. After adding her cash balance at the beginning of 2019 and subtracting 2019 expenses, she reported $20,314 on hand to begin 2020.

Hernandez, who will be running for a third term, reported collecting $23,797 during 2019. After adding his cash balance at the beginning of 2019 and subtracting 2019 expenses, he reported $22,003 on hand to begin 2020.

Campbell and Haney have outstanding loans they made to their campaigns. Campbell's loan is $5,000, and Haney's seven loans total $37,670 from her Luxe Aesthetic & Wellness Center business. Candidates are legally allowed to repay loans from future contributions, if any.

Each of the three incumbents will be holding more fund-raisers this year, which will provide plenty of additional cash to pay for mailers, roadway signage, computerized telephone calls and endorsements on “voter information” brochures, also known as slate mailers.

The fund-raising prowess shown by the incumbents so far this election cycle might deter possible contenders from joining the race, but all of the city's 29 council elections since incorporation in 1967 have drawn at least some challengers.

The most funds ever raised by a single candidate for a council election in Yorba Linda was in 2018, when Carlos Rodriguez reported collecting $102,722, including $84,731 in cash; a self-made loan of $9,500; and $8,491 worth of non-monetary “in-kind” contributions.

In that election, Rodriguez ran second out of three candidates for two positions, earning 35.2% of the vote. Peggy Huang was first with 41% and Lourdes Cruz third with 23.8%.

In 2016, Campbell ran first out of seven candidates for three positions with 19.7% of the vote, and Hernandez was second at 17.2%. Haney topped single-term incumbent Craig Young for third place 15.5% to 15.1%.

Hernandez won his first term in 2012 in a contest with seven candidates seeking three positions. He placed third by edging first-term incumbent Nancy Rikel 16.9% to 16.7%.