Latest campaign finance disclosures show incumbent Jeff Slowey and newcomer Marcel Weiland far outpacing the remaining candidates vying for two seats on the Citrus Heights city council. Five of the eight candidates in the council race submitted disclosures by the first pre-election reporting deadline of Sept. 29, required by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for local candidates who raise or spend over $2,000.
Vice Mayor Slowey, the only incumbent in the race, maintained an expected edge and reported $5,800 in contributions from 18 donors during the latest reporting period, which covers contributions and expenses from July 1 through Sept. 24. Weiland, a 26-year-old candidate who gained popularity for a strong performance during a recent election forum, also had a strong performance in contributions, reporting $6,500 received from 14 donors since July 1.
Slowey’s top donors listed in latest filings were $1,000 from Republic Services and $500 from Watt Communities, which recently completed a 46-home development on Antelope Road. He also dominated early fundraising efforts in a prior reporting period of Jan. 1 through June 30 — before most candidates had filed an intention to run or began fundraising. His top donation early on in January was $3,000 from “Kings Management Group,” which listed its address as Stones Casino on Antelope Road. Adding both reporting periods together for the year, Slowey’s total contributions amount to just under $12,000, according to FPPC filings.
Weiland’s top donor listed was himself, with the candidate reporting a donation of $5,000 from personal funds to his campaign. His next top donation of $500 is listed as coming from Mark Hollingsworth, who is a former director at Riskalyze, where Weiland is currently employed. Slowey also contributed to his own campaign, giving $250 in the form of a loan. According to FPPC guidelines, loans and donations are both reported as contributions, but loans can be repaid with other campaign funds and may indicate the candidate desires to get the money back at a future date.
Slowey and Weiland also reported the highest expenditures of any of the candidates who filed by the Sept. 29 deadline. Weiland reported spending $3,400 on campaign literature, signs, and advertising. Slowey reported similar expenditure totals, spending $3,000 on a ballot statement, outdoor signs, printed material and mailing lists. Several residents also have reported receiving a mailer from Slowey’s campaign already.
>>Learn more about the candidates: “Likely voters list 4 top candidates after Citrus Heights council forum”
Former councilman Bret Daniels came in third place for fundraising this period, reporting $3,700 in contributions from 15 named donors, $400 of which came from himself and $1,000 as a “nonmonetary” contribution of discounted or free services from JWS Promotions in Carmichael. He reported spending just under $2,000, primarily on a ballot statement and internet-related expenses.
Of the five other candidates in the race, three did not file by the Sept. 29 deadline and Tim Schaefer and Porsche Middleton trailed behind in fundraising, with each reporting just over $1,000 in contributions.
Schaefer reported $1,380 in contributions received from three donors, nearly all of which came as an $1,130 loan from himself to the campaign. He reported spending $1,100, primarily for a ballot statement and booth-related expenses during Sunday Funday.
Middleton reported $1,070 in contributions from three donors, $1,000 of which came from her husband, Benjamin Middleton. She reported spending $865, primarily for advertising and printed campaign material.
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Rick Doyle, Amor Taylor, and Michael Nishimura did not file statements with the city clerk’s office by the FPPC deadline. While disclosure statements were not required for Taylor and Nishimura, who previously filed statements declaring they did not intend to receive or spend over $2,000, Doyle told The Sentinel on Friday that his campaign had missed the deadline, but would file disclosures by next week.
As one of only three candidates to begin fundraising prior to the July 1 reporting period, Doyle’s initial report from Jan. 1 through June 30 indicates he may end up being among the top fundraisers. Doyle reported receiving $4,000 from six donors through July 1, half of which came in the form of a personal loan to his campaign. He also reported early campaign expenditures amounting to $2,600.
The next financial disclosure reporting deadline is Oct. 27 and will cover the period from Sept. 25 through Oct. 22, 2016.
Learn more about the candidates: “Meet the 8 candidates running for Citrus Heights city council”
See all candidates’ campaign finance disclosures: http://www.citrusheights.net/164/Candidate-Committee-Campaign-Statements
