Webb Raises $50,000 for Council Race

Councilwoman Sandi Webb raised nearly $50,000 in the first half of this year--more that 10 times the amount raised by any other council candidate, according to campaign finance disclosure statements.

At the end of June, Webb had $15,027.61 in her campaign coffers, while challenger Eileen Cohen had raised $1,550 with $495 left.

Glen Becerra, who had not declared his candidacy by late June, was not required to file a disclosure statement yet.

Cohen has the support of Councilwoman Barbra Williamson, who in past years has led candidates in fund-raising, while U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) has endorsed Becerra and is holding a fund-raiser for the candidate at his home this weekend.

Webb has two fund-raising committees, unusual for Simi Valley candidates running for only one office. One is dedicated to her election race, and helped her raise $20,313.32 between January and June.

Webb created her second committee in 1996 to pay off debts she owed from her first election campaign in 1990. In the first half of the year, she raised $29,298.54 and spent $26,310.33 on mailings, printings and consulting fees.

She paid off $2,000 of $5,000 in loans, leaving the committee with a cash balance of $1,415.96. Webb said she expects to pay off her debt by the end of the year.

The next set of campaign finance statements will be released Oct. 5.