Yesterday was the deadline for the second set of campaign fundraising filings for local elections (the first results came in July). Going race by race, in City Council District 1, Phil Thalheimer may have given himself a million bucks, but Sherri Lightner and Marshall Merrified have raised plenty of dough to qualify as legit contenders. In District 3, Stephen Whitburn had to loan himself $43,000 to keep pace with the very well-funded Todd Gloria, while no one else even came close. (I’ve heard people comparing this race to the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, with Gloria in the Hillary Clinton role and Whitburn in the Obama role, but Whitburn so far can’t match, even scaled down to a City Council race, Obama’s early fundraising prowess.). Carl DeMaio contributed $92,365 to is own campaign, which means he’s sunk $192,365 into his own race so far. That still means he raised a little less than $150,000, still by far the most in the race. Some folks were pretty impressed that Marti Emerald raised over 80 grand, but April Bolling has quietly amassed a warchest that will allow her to mount an effective campaign. In the citywide races, City Attorney Mike Aguirre seems content to run on his reputation and raise money to make up the half-million dollar loan he gave himself in 2004, while Mayor Jerry Sanders nearly doubled up wealthy conservative opponent Steve Francis. Of course, Francis contributed the $50,000 he “raised” to himself.
| Office | Candidate | Contributions | Loans | Total Raised (including last filing period and in kind contributions. Does not subtract expenses) |
| City Council District 1 | ||||
| Sherri Lightner | $47,095 | $1,000 | $48,600 | |
| Marshall Merrifield | $63,040 | $0 | $73,040 | |
| Phil Thalheimer | $64,371 | $0 | $1,1092,070 | |
| City Council District 3 | ||||
| Paul Broadway | No filing | |||
| Todd Gloria | $68,215 | $0 | $116,681 | |
| John Hartley | $11,643 | $5,000 | $25,575 | |
| James Hartline | $2,599 | $0 | $3,255 | |
| Robert Lee | Filing not online | |||
| Stephen Whitburn | $42,921 | $43,000 | $105,522 | |
| City Council District 5 | ||||
| Carl DeMaio | $184,730 | $0 | $340,899 | |
| Bob Ilko | $13,492 | $4,525 | $20,993 | |
| Mitz Lee | #20,903 | $4,000 | $24,903 | |
| City Council District 7 | ||||
| April Bolling | $69,333 | $0 | $113,662 | |
| Bill Daniel | Not available online | |||
| Marti Emerald | $81,921 | $2,000 | $84,365 | |
| City Attorney | ||||
| Mike Aguirre | $1,475 | $0 | $564,071 | |
| Lee Burdick | $3,885 | $3,000 | $6,885 | |
| Dan Coffey | Not available online | |||
| Jan Goldsmith | $7,220 | $1,000 | $8,220 | |
| Brian Maienschein | Only became candidate this quarter | |||
| Mayor | ||||
| Steve Francis | $50,000 | $100,000 | $185,266 | |
| Rocky Neptune | Not available online | |||
| Jerry Sanders | $342,926 | $0 | $343,073 | |
February 1, 2008 - 5:25 pm at 5:25 pm
Wouldn’t giving himself most of his warchest make Steve Whitburn more like Mitt Romney than Obama?
February 4, 2008 - 11:27 am at 11:27 am
Let’s break down Gloria’s contributors and tell us who looks like the Republican? Do the lobbyists and developers love Todd because he cares about the regular people? I think not. He is an insider who will do anything for cash
March 4, 2008 - 2:32 pm at 2:32 pm
I wish to clarify that Paul Broadway has pledged not to solicit or accept financial contributions from anyone. He is filing his nominating papers today, March 4, and we are confident that he will qualify for the June 3 ballot. Paul promises to serve as a truly independent voice, not beholden to any pressure groups. He will serve a single term on the City Council, which will help ensure that he focuses on the interests of all the people of District 3.
David R. Voth
Assistant Treasurer and Campaign Manager
The Committee to Elect Paul Broadway to San Diego City Council District 3
May 22, 2008 - 2:41 pm at 2:41 pm
Stephen is quite genuine and he is not running out of ego. That is apparent in his conversations w/ community members where he does not even tell them he is running for office. he genuinely wants to help solve problems. We need some who will solve problems for us and not for developers. Gloria’s money is highly suspect. It is the reason the Sierra club would not endorse him.