Money race close in District 7

Mathis Winkler and S.J. Cahn

NEWPORT-MESA -- District 7’s where the money is in Newport Beach. City

Council candidate and former City Manager Robert L. Wynn and incumbent

Tom Thomson lead the fund-raising list, according to campaign disclosure

statements filed with the city clerk’s office Thursday.

Wynn, who has gathered almost $47,000, and Thomson, who has brought in

more than $45,000, list real estate agents and developers among their

contributors.

On the other end, District 2 candidate Steven Rosansky and District 5

candidate Robert Schoonmaker have raised or spent less than $1,000,

because state law requires itemized listings above that amount. John

Heffernan, running in District 7, has put up $7,000 of his own money,

spending about half of it on campaign interns, voter lists and printing

costs so far.

Both Heffernan and Schoonmaker have publicly stated they will not

accept contributions during the campaign.

In District 2, candidate Gary L. Proctor leads the field, having

raised $13,094 so far. He is followed by Dennis P. Lahey, who has raised

$1,850.

Patricia M. Beek, the third candidate in District 5, has raised

$13,605 so far.

While most of the candidates have spent the money on printing costs,

buying voter lists and mailings, Bromberg and Proctor have paid $7,500

and $3,750, respectively, to Ellis/Hart Associates Inc. for campaign

consulting services.

Of the two growth-control ballot measures, only Measure S proponents

filed their statement on deadline. The so-called Greenlight Initiative,

which proposes to put certain general plan amendments before a citywide

vote, has raised $38,461. The Measure T campaign had spent $111,486 by

June 30, the last filing date.

In Costa Mesa, of the five candidates who have turned in their finance

statements to the city clerk, Planning Commissioner Thomas Sutro has

raised the most money, $12,672, including a $5,000 loan from his wife and

campaign treasurer, Teresa.

Of Sutro’s contributors, Angel’s Auto Spa in Costa Mesa gave the most

money, $1,500, followed by a $750 contribution from South Coast Toyota.

He also received $2,253 in donations of less than $100 each.

Sutro also received $249 contributions from gun and camping store

Grant Boys, attorney and community activist Bill Turpit and the Committee

to Elect Gary Monahan.

Monahan said he contributed to Sutro to show his full support for his

longtime friend.

“I think Tom is the best man for the job,” Monahan said, pointing to

his experience on the Planning Commission and with the Chamber of

Commerce.

Although Sutro did not fill out his current cash balance, he has spent

about $3,000 less than he’s received.

Mesa Verde activist Karen Robinson pulled in the next highest amount,

$9,228, which includes $6,000 in loans to herself. Her top contributor

was Ronnah E. Robinson of Union City, Calif., who contributed $249. She

also received $1,895 in donations of less than $100 each.

Robinson has the most cash on hand at $6,464.

Councilwomen Libby Cowan and Heather Somers have had radically

different fund-raising so far. Somers has raised $1,200 -- all but $150

in a loan to herself -- and spent $991, leaving her with a little more

than $200.

Cowan, meanwhile, has raised $7,487 and spent $3,933, leaving her with

$4,406. Of all the candidates, she’s received the most donations greater

than $100. Among them were $150 contributions from the Eleanor Roosevelt

Democratic Club; the National Women’s Political Caucus, Orange County

Chapter; and $150 from Jim Toledano, former chairman of the Democratic

Party of Orange County.

Dan Worthington’s money comes entirely from loans; however, he did not

list the source or sources. Of his $3,000 in loans, he’s spent $1,829.

Worthington could not be reached for comment on where the loans

originated.

The other Costa Mesa candidates are Ronald J. Channels, Michael D.

Clifford, Joel Faris, William Perkins and Rick Rodgers.Candidates and

initiative proponents are required to file another statement Oct. 26.

Should they raise $1,000 or more between that date and the Nov. 7

election, they have 24 hours to report those contributions.

BOX

Top contributors to Measure S, the Greenlight Initiative

NAME AMOUNT GIVEN

Jean Watt $2,000

Ken Colbaugh $2,000

Larry Porter $1,290

Seymour Beek $1,000

Allan Beek $772.50

Nancy Skinner $750

NEWPORT BEACH CANDIDATES AMOUNT RAISED

Robert L. Wynn $46,902

Tom Thomson $45,477

Steve Bromberg $32,032

Patricia M. Beek $13,605

Gary L. Proctor $13,094

John Heffernan $ 7,000 (own money)

Dennis P. Lahey $ 1,850

Steven Rosansky less than $1,000

Robert Schoonmaker less than $1,000

COSTA MESA CANDIDATES AMOUNT RAISED

Thomas Sutro $12,672

Karen Robinson $9,228

Libby Cowan $7,487

Dan Worthington $3,000

Heather Somers $1,200