Article from the October 8, 2004 Press Democrat

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CAMPAIGN FUNDS NOW
OUTPACE LARGER SR

Published on October 8, 2004
© 2004- The Press Democrat
BYLINE:    JOSE L. SANCHEZ Jr.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
PAGE: B1

With the election 3 1/2 weeks away, Petaluma's campaign fund-raising record has already fallen and cash is rolling in faster than in Santa Rosa, a city three times larger.

Councilman Mike O'Brien collected $57,981 through Sept. 30, according to campaign finance reports filed this week.

That surpasses the $50,392 spent in 2002 by Councilman Mike Harris, who had to keep raising money after the election to cover campaign costs.

O'Brien's total also exceeds the $46,182 raised so far by Don Taylor, the top fund-raiser in the Santa Rosa council election.

No other Santa Rosa candidate has raised $14,000.

Petaluma Councilwoman Pam Torliatt also has more money than any Santa Rosa candidate. She has raised $41,206, and had $7,150 left over from her 2000 campaign, for a total war chest of $48,356.

Among the Petaluma challengers, labor consultant Cindy Thomas has raised $21,577, including a $10,000 personal loan; followed by teacher Karen Nau with $10,684. Postal employee Spence Burton said he's raised $950.

Altogether, the five Petaluma candidates raised $132,398 from July 1, 2003 through Sept. 30 -- 22 percent more than the $108,475 that nine Santa Rosa candidates raised during the same period.

The balance between the cities could change by election day, but the money pouring into the Petaluma campaigns may be a reflection of the bitter, long-running fight for control of the council between pro-growth and slow-growth factions.

``In Petaluma, it's hot as a pistol,'' said Terry Price, a Santa Rosa campaign consultant, adding that he hasn't sensed the same intensity in Santa Rosa.

But Brian Sobel, a Petaluma campaign consultant, said the pool of campaign cash in Petaluma may mostly be chasing incumbents in a small field of candidates.

``In a local election,'' he said, ``at least the two incumbents seem to be odds-on favorites and people may feel the need to contribute.''

The average war chest for the five Petaluma candidates already is 34 percent more than the average for the entire 2002 campaign.

A review of campaign finance reports indicated that about 39 percent of all contributions in the current election cycle came from development interests, accounting for more than any other identifiable interest group. Unions and other labor group accounted for about 5 percent of the contributions.

O'Brien, the top fund-raiser, received slightly more than half of his money from development interests -- such as builders, real estate investors and building supply companies.

Torliatt, who is seeking a third term, got 28 percent of her money from the same interests.

Among the challengers, Nau got 49 percent and Thomas 12 percent from development interests.

Because he doesn't intend to spend $1,000 on his campaign, Burton isn't required to file campaign finance reports. However, he said he has raised $950, including about $500 of his own money.

An initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot would cut the cap on contributions to council candidates from $500 to $200 per two-year election cycle.

Petaluma Tomorrow, the activist group sponsoring the measure, filed a finance report disclosing that it had spent $1,457 on fliers endorsing Torliatt and Thomas.

Larry Modell, the group's chairman, said he is concerned that two candidates ``have disproportionately large amounts coming from development interests.''

``The City Council should belong to all voters, not just special interests,'' he said.

``Nobody is going to buy my vote for $500,'' O'Brien said.

Thomas, who came within 100 votes of winning a council seat with a low-budget campaign in 2002, said volunteer support from fellow union members can offset some of cash advantage enjoyed by the incumbents.

While she can't afford a large mail campaign, Thomas said volunteers can walk precincts, distribute literature and establish face-to-face contact with voters.

You can reach Staff Writer Jose L. Sanchez Jr. at 762-7297 or jsanchez@pressdemocrat.com.

Infobox: CAMPAIGN CASH

Money received and spent to date by Petaluma candidates

SOURCE: State campaign disclosure statements filed by candidates between July 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2004; Reported to The Press Democrat by Burton, who is not required to file a statement as long as he collects and spends under $1,000.

*Denotes incumbent