Mayor Luis Alejo has raised nearly $300,000 this year for his
campaign for the 28th District seat in the state Assembly.
Mayor Luis Alejo has raised nearly $300,000 this year for his campaign for the 28th District seat in the state Assembly.
His GOP rival, Rob Bernosky, a business executive from Hollister, has raised in total only a small fraction of what Alejo has collected in the past three months.
“Obviously, he can buy more signs, more airtime,” said Bernosky. “But my campaign has been focused on person-to-person contacts.”
In campaign finance reports filed Tuesday, Alejo listed contributions totaling more than $56,000 since July 1, and $288,000 since the first of the year. Bernosky reported $14,299 in contributions during the past three months, $20,244 since Jan. 1.
Alejo’s large contributors include both corporate and labor interests. The telecommunications industry, utility companies, the building trades — both unions and industry groups — have contributed thousands of dollars. He also listed more than two dozen individuals, most from Santa Cruz County, who donated $200 or less to his campaign.
“I have a broad base of support,” Alejo said, adding the campaign cash is needed to get his message out in a sprawling district that is home to 400,000 people.
He said since the reporting period ended Sept. 30, he’s raised another $10,000 to $15,000.
“It shows you we’re working hard to put on a strong campaign,” Alejo said of his fundraising. “I’m very optimistic, but I never take anything for granted.”
Bernosky’s support includes agricultural and construction interests. He said he’s investing his time and energy working the private sector, a strategy that’s paying off with endorsements from Monterey and Santa Clara county farm bureaus and the California Farm Bureau Federation and the Salinas and Gilroy chambers of commerce.
He said he expects to get votes not only from business owners and growers but also their employees.
“You can’t see it in terms of campaign dollars,” Bernosky said. “In terms of who’s going to vote for me will be living proof that I am a viable candidate.”
