Incumbent Whalen leads Laguna council candidate in campaign funds this year
With the election less than a week away, Laguna Beach City Council incumbent Bob Whalen led all candidates in total campaign contributions this year.
Whalen, a public finance attorney vying for a second four-year term on the five-member council, had raised $43,297 from Jan. 1 through Oct. 22, according to campaign disclosure forms available on the city’s website.
Challenger Verna Rollinger, who was on the council from 2008 through 2012, had raised $31,807 through Oct. 22. Mayor Steve Dicterow had raised $30,750, while challenger Judie Mancuso, had raised $18, 396 in that span, according to disclosure forms.
Each of the four candidates is seeking one of two contested seats. The top two vote-getters will join Toni Iseman, Kelly Boyd and Robert Zur Schmiede on the council.
The maximum amount a donor can contribute to a candidate per election is $360, City Clerk Lisette Chel-Walker said.
Whalen, who considers undergrounding overhead utility poles and wires a top priority, received contributions in that amount from donors such as Tom Davis, an attorney; Kent Russell, a real estate investor; and Cindy Shopoff, an investment executive, in the latest reporting period from Sept. 25 through Oct. 22.
Whalen, a 32-year Laguna resident, credited two fundraisers since May as signs of support.
“There have been a lot of repeat donors from [the 2012] election, so it’s rewarding to see a broad cross-section of people who want to support me,” Whalen said.
Rollinger, Laguna Beach’s former city clerk for 29 years, received $360 each from donors such as Anne Krizman, owner of Fresh Produce clothing store; Theresa O’Hare, former Laguna Beach Unified School District trustee; and Richard Weisberg, an attorney, according to her latest campaign disclosure statement.
Dicterow, an attorney, received $360 each from donors including Jim Conrad, an architect; Nicholas Kinsman, a computer consultant, and Jan Hobbs, a financial advisor, according to his latest reporting statement.
Mancuso, founder and president of the nonprofit Social Compassion in Legislation, which sponsors and supports legislation promoting the care and protection of animals, received $360 each from donors including James Costa, a filmmaker, Phil Abraham, businessman, and Steven Bernheim, an attorney, in the latest and final reporting period before Tuesday’selection.
In the race for city treasurer, challenger Anne McGraw had raised $8,005 in contributions from Jan. 1 through Oct. 22,. while incumbent Laura Parisi had raised $5,244 in that span, according to campaign filings.
McGraw, a bookkeeper, received $360 each from Joshua Kinsman, an office clerk, and Nicholas Kinsman, in the most recent reporting period, according to campaign paperwork.
McGraw noted donations from former Laguna Mayor Jane Egly and former City Manager Ken Frank in earlier reporting periods.
“I’ve been supported by by some heavy hitters,” McGraw said. “I’m proud of that and I’m grateful for that.”
Residents Margaret Hanson and Arnold and Bonnie Hano had donated $360 and $300, respectively, in the most recent reporting period toward Parisi’s campaign.
Parisi said she was “not concerned one way or the other” that McGraw had raised more money through the latest reporting period.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
