With seven weeks before the March primary elections, the
candidates running for three seats on the Board of Supervisors
filed campaign finance figures this week.
The eight candidates thus far have raised a total of more than
$35,000
– with District 2 challenger Anthony Freitas raising the most in
2003 with $10,244, according to county Elections Office
records.
With seven weeks before the March primary elections, the candidates running for three seats on the Board of Supervisors filed campaign finance figures this week.
The eight candidates thus far have raised a total of more than $35,000 – with District 2 challenger Anthony Freitas raising the most in 2003 with $10,244, according to county Elections Office records.
Meanwhile, District 1 candidate Grant Brians has raised the least – an $833 loan to himself. Brians plans to step up the campaign, though – he is now accepting contributions, he said.
“Only rich people can completely fund their campaigns and I do not fall into that category,” Brians said.
Three of five districts have open seats this year and Supervisor Richard Scagliotti has said he will not run for re-election in District 1. His successor will be one of three candidates: Brians, Marci Huston or Don Marcus.
In District 2, incumbent Ruth Kesler will be challenged by Freitas and Anthony Botelho.
In District 5, incumbent Bob Cruz will be challenged by Jaime De La Cruz. Since they are the only two candidates in the race, the March primary will decide that seat.
Aside from Brians, other candidates have financed much of their campaigns, too. One of his opponents, Marcus, lent himself $4,000 of the $7,011 total he raised in 2003. And the other opponent, Huston, lent herself $1,800 of the total $3,420 she raised.
In District 2, Botelho lent himself $4,100 of the $5,287 total he raised in 2003. Freitas lent himself $3,000. And Kesler lent herself all of the $2,000 she raised.
In District 5, Cruz maintained he would wholly fund his campaign, as he lent himself $1,500, he said. Meanwhile, De La Cruz’s campaign has been entirely funded by others, and he has raised $6,718.
The campaign finance rules are mandated by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), according to the county’s head elections official John Hodges.
“We are the go-between for the FPPC,” Hodges said.
There are four filing deadlines a year, he said. After Feb. 15, any contributions more than $1,000 must be reported to the Elections Office within 24 hours.
In each race March 2, if no one obtains more than 50 percent of the votes, the November general election will decide the winner between the two top candidates.
The Board of Supervisors in early December considered a resolution spearheaded by Kesler to limit individual contributions to $250. But supervisors put off a vote until after the March primary.
Supervisor candidates and donation amounts
District 1:
Grant Brians:
Loan to self: $833
Marci Huston:
Loan to self: $1,800
Lynn Franklin, political consultant: $1,000
Sheron Johnson, real estate broker for Intero Realty: $100
Smith Gardens, non-monetary donation of $500 in plants.
Don Marcus:
Loan to self: $5,500
District 2:
Anthony Botelho:
Loan to self: $4,100
Anthony Freitas:
Loan to self: $1,000
45 donations less than $100
K&S Market, Inc.: $400
Jere Freitas: $150
Adela Freitas: $3,000
Ruth Kesler:
Loans to self: $3,000
Various donors: $500
District 5:
Bob Cruz:
Loan to self: $1,500
Jaime De La Cruz:
A&R Pre-hung Doors, Inc.: $400
R&R Labor: $500
Jim Gibson, owner of Hollister Super Market: $500
Juan Carlos De La Cruz: $335
Mexican American Political Association: $370
San Benito Heating and Sheet Metal: $250
Antonio Bueno: $100
DBA Hilltop Realty: $200
J&E Mechanic, Inc.: $250
8-Ball Bail Bonds: $500
