With the state’s primary election more than five months away, Supervisor Ron Roberts and San Diego Councilwoman Barbara Warden have amassed the most campaign contributions in the race for the next mayor of San Diego.
Roberts, who made his formal announcement earlier this month, collected nearly $101,000 for the past reporting period, which covered July through September. It brought his total to $515,901.
Roberts’ aides said he expects to raise about $800,000 for the March 7 primary as part of an overall budget of about $1.5 million for the campaign. Unless one candidate gets a majority in the primary, the two top vote-getters will vie for the position in November 2000.
“To be at this point in our fund-raising, five months before the election, is just overwhelming to me,” Roberts said.
Candidate List Grows
Three new candidates for the mayor’s job were listed at the City Clerk’s office, bringing the total to 11 people seeking to replace Mayor Susan Golding. Her term expires at the end of 2000 and she cannot run again because of term limits.
Warden, one of three members of the City Council running for mayor, is also amassing a sizable campaign war chest, collecting nearly $63,000 for the period. Warden’s total is $328,762.
Councilman Byron Wear collected some $33,000 for the period, pushing his total to $134,914.
Trailing closely is Judge Dick Murphy, who has taken a leave of absence from his Superior Court duties to run for mayor. He has gathered $31,000 for the period, pushing his total to $132,921.
Peter Davis, the former president of the Bank of Commerce and former chairman of the Centre City Development Corp., took in the most money for the period with $128,878, but most of that came from a personal loan of $100,000. Davis has said he is prepared to spend as much as it takes to get his message out.
Councilman George Stevens took in some $16,000 during the period, putting his total at $22,684.
Jim Bell, an ecological designer, collected $2,220, for a total for the year at $3,725.
Beatrice Marion, a sales trainer, listed total contributions of $100.
The three remaining candidates did not list any funds. They are Ronald Carrico; Loch David Crane, a magician who has run for local political office many times; and Janice Jordan, who ran for the 49th District seat in the House of Representatives on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.
Contesting Council Seats
Fund-raising reports for four City Council races next year also were made public.
In District 1, the leading money raisers are Scott Peters, who collected $94,794. He was followed by Paul Kennerson, $72,252; Lisa Ross, $66,493; and Linda Davis, $55,790. Mark Jacobson didn’t list any contributions.
In District 3, there are five candidates, but only two listed any contributions so far. They are Toni Atkins, who collected $67,311; and John Hartley, who reported $28,134. Daniel Beeman, Chuck Elliot, and Geri Stryker did not list any campaign collections.
In District 5, Karen McElliott amassed $97,910, the largest amount among six candidates. Brian Maienschein followed with a total of $78,017. Next was Thomas Cleary with $29,730. Larry Hilman collected $540; and Edward Teyssier listed $100. Gary Waayers did not list any funds.
In District 7, Deanna Spehn listed contributions of $60,319, but $50,000 of that came from personal loans. Following her is James Madaffer, with $53,187; and Mark Rawlins, with $22,200.
