Newport council incumbents add to 2020 campaign funds

Newport Beach City Council incumbents Brad Avery, Jeff Herdman and Will O’Neill added about $50,000 combined to their 2020 reelection funds in the second half of 2019.

The fundraising period covered July 1 to Dec. 31. So far, no other candidates have filed to challenge Avery, Herdman or O’Neill, who represent council districts 2, 5, and 7, respectively.

Campaign contribution forms were submitted to the city clerk’s office this week. Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar.

District 2

Brad Avery

• Contributions received: $33,098
• Expenditures made: $3,432
• Beginning cash balance: $13,398
• Ending cash balance: $43,068

Avery, who is mayor pro tem this year, mostly collected donations from local individuals. His City Council colleague Diane Dixon contributed $500. Expenditures covered a reception, campaign finance management services and office expenses.

Avery’s district includes the Newport Heights and West Newport neighborhoods.

District 5

Jeff Herdman

• Contributions received: $3,074
• Expenditures made: $2,871
• Beginning cash balance: $29,212
• Ending cash balance: $29,416

Herdman accepted donations from local individuals. Dixon again supported a colleague, chipping in $250. On the expenditures side, Herdman wrote checks for fundraising events, legal representation, web services, postage and a $250 contribution to Dixon’s state Assembly campaign.

Herdman’s district includes Balboa Island, Newport Center and Big Canyon.

District 7

Will O’Neill

• Contributions received: $13,522
• Expenditures made: $2,170
• Beginning cash balance: $96,575
• Ending cash balance: $107,927

O’Neill, the current mayor, did not lead in donations this fundraising cycle but deepened his cash on hand, keeping it well above his fellow incumbents’ accounts combined.

Individuals from around Orange County contributed including Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, who gave $500 as a private individual. Expenses mostly covered campaign finance management services, campaign materials and Facebook ads.

O’Neill’s district includes the Newport Coast and Spyglass Hill neighborhoods.

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