Political-fundraising records eclipsed in Newport

Newport Beach City Council candidates are breaking all previous records for fundraising, reports filed Thursday with the city clerk show.

Topping the list was Michael Henn, one of four candidates for the open District 1 seat, who reported raising $99,708 this year.

The reports detailed fundraising during the period of July 1 to Sept. 30, but the total amounts raised and spent are for all of 2006.

The most raised in a past election appears to be the nearly $64,000 former City Manager Bob Wynn raised in 2000.

That record also was blown away by appointed Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who raised $83,587 this year in her now uncontested bid for the District 4 seat.

Barbara Venezia was running against Daigle. Though she dropped out of the race Tuesday, it’s too late to change the ballots so her name will still appear.

She was expected to raise enough money to give Daigle a serious challenge, but the clerk’s office said Venezia had not filed a report by the end of the day Thursday.

With four weeks left until the election, fundraising may top out around $100,000. Henn said he doesn’t anticipate needing more than that, and he has already shifted his focus to campaigning.

“I went into it intending to raise as much money as I could,” he said. With three opponents, “I want to be certain that I have enough financial resources to run my campaign effectively.”

All other candidates — there are 13 in all, seeking six seats — raised less than $50,000 each.

The biggest spender was Jack Wu, running against Henn, Marcia Dossey and Brenda Martin in District 1. Wu reported spending $41,432, but Henn was close behind with $40,288 spent.

Wu said he’ll step up his fundraising efforts to close the gap between himself and Henn, but he’s also hitting the streets.

“Money helps, but it doesn’t win elections,” Wu said. “A part of it is also walking and knocking on doors and getting to meet everybody.”

The most money will likely be dropped in the next few weeks. That’s what Measure X proponent Phil Arst is anticipating from his opponents.

Measure X, backed by the Greenlight residents group, would require public votes on some development in the city. Greenlight reported raising $56,656 — a record for the group — and spending $77,214, which included some money raised in 2005.

The opposition, No on Measure X, reported raising $40,000 and spending $88,307. Major donors to the group included the Building Industry Assn. of Southern California, which gave $20,000, and Mariners Mile Gateway LLC, which gave $10,000.

Another notable campaign donor was Rainbow Disposal, a company formerly owned by Venezia’s husband that has a contract with the city of Newport Beach. It was suggested last week that Venezia’s financial interest in the company would create a conflict of interest if she were elected.

Four candidates — Henn, Daigle, District 5 Councilman Ed Selich and District 7 Councilman Keith Curry — each reported a $500 contribution from Rainbow Disposal.

All the campaign finance reports can be viewed on the city website at www.city.newport -beach.ca.us.