Money race already started for Nov. 2 elections
October 13, 2004
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
With the Nov. 2 Presidential Election less than a month away the money race has already started for Santa Paula candidates, according to the release of campaign filings.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWith the Nov. 2 Presidential Election less than a month away the money race has already started for Santa Paula candidates, according to the release of campaign filings.Campaign filings only list contributions of $100 or more and there are several filings between now and the election as well as wrap up after Election Day has come and gone.Laura Flores Espinosa is seeking a third term on the City Council – she left office two years ago – ranked highest with $6,097 in monetary contributions and in-kind contributions.Espinosa’s largest single contributor during the reporting period was from the National Women’s Political Caucus of Ventura County, which gave $500 to Espinosa, who also received the group’s endorsement.Incumbent Councilman John Procter, who is seeking a second four-year term on the council, has received a total of $4,605, including a $1,400 loan split between his father, Robert Procter ($500) and brother, attorney Jim Procter ($900).Incumbent Councilman Ray Luna, also running for a second term on the City Council, has raised $4,084, including a $2,000 self-loan. His top contributor, Frank Luna, gave $250.Luna and Procter were endorsed on Friday by the Ventura County Star newspaper.
When it comes to the race for City Clerk, incumbent Steven Salas filed a Form 440 declaring that he has no plans to raise or spend more than $1,000 on his campaign for a second term.Salas’ opponent, Deputy City Clerk Josie Herrera, has raised $1,863, including a $540 loan she made to herself.A big chunk of change has been raised by Santa Paulans for a Safe Community, which is backing public safety Measures J and K.Santa Paulans for a Safe Community has raised $27,375 in support of the measures which will add firefighters and cops to the city’s forces, purchase equipment as well as bring area personnel’s salaries – up to 40 percent behind the county average – closer to parity.Voters are being asked to approve a $6 tax per each monthly cable, telephone, gas and electric bill – a total of $24 each month for residents who have all the services - to raise the $2.25 million annually to boost funding for the fire and police departments.Measures J and K – the latter measure is for the formation of a citizens oversight committee on spending Measure J revenues – has a five-year sunset, among other safeguards that supporters of the measures hope will meet with the approval of voters.Expenditures for candidates for council and Deputy City Clerk Herrera show that printing of campaign materials, signage and advertising top the list of spending for voter outreach.