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In the last local campaign finance reporting period under the old rules, candidates in the county’s major races have submitted their fundraising reports.
As of April 19, San Benito County has new campaign finance rules, capping individual contributions to county races at $2,500 per election and requiring donors to disclose their names for contributions over $25.
On April 23, the county elections department disclosed how much candidates reported raising between January and April, the last filing period under the previous rules, which allowed donations of up to $5,900 per election and permitted donors who gave less than $100 to remain anonymous.
Here is what candidates and committees in the county’s major races—two supervisor seats, a recall election and a ballot measure—have reported raising so far.
County Supervisor District 3: Mindy Sotelo vs. Peter Hernandez
Sotelo
The incumbent supervisor has reported receiving $45,469.51 this year, including a $100 loan from herself and $4,607 from donors who gave less than $100.
Contributions of $5,900
- Jamii Pura
- Service Employees International Union Local 521
Contribution of $5,000
- Paul L Wattis Jr
Contribution of $3,818.51
- Elizabeth Dirks
Contribution of $1,500
- Plumbers Local 393
Contribution of $1,250
- Greg Swett
Contributions of $1,000
- Marjorie Filice
- Robert Rodriguez
- Vince Brigantino
- Debbie Loos
- Julio Noriega
- San Benito County Farm Bureau
- Dignity CA SEIU Local 2015
Contribution of $800
- Sabrina Diaz
Contribution of $750
- Kylie Gillio
Contributions of $500
- Vanessa Quinlan
- DH Construction – DDH Affiliates Inc
- Diane Diaz Hopkins Insurance Agency Inc
Contributions of $250
- Heidi Connor
- Jae Eade
- John Eade
- Mark Wright
- Stephen Rosati
- Kris Waller
- Frankie Gallagher
- Robert Gibson
- Richard Scagliotti
Contributions of $200
- Michelle Alexander
- Geraldine Wright
- Seth Muenzer
- Carol Hart
- Ted Zanella
- Rodriguez Bookkeeping Services
- Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local No. 3 PAC
Contribution of $170
- Benjie Casarez
Contributions of $150
- Melvin Silveira
- Kathy Johnson
- Alice Flores
- Kathryn Ramirez
Contribution of $119
- Mary McCullough
Contributions of $100
- Regina Valentine
- Ellen Campos
- Larry Barr
- Margie Barrios
- Rhonda Brown
- Rosa Fernandez
- Wayne Norton
- Victor Tafoya
- Jennifer Castro
- Denise McAbee
- Cecilia Lovato
- Clay Kempf
Hernandez
The former supervisor reported receiving $1,198 in donations, including $498 by residents who donated less than $100.
Contribution of $250
- Dran Reese
Contribution of $200
- Mike Fisher
Contribution of $150
- Peter Hernandez (to himself)
Contribution of $100
- Peter Kuo
County Supervisor District 4: Angela Curro vs. Roxanne Stephens
Curro
The incumbent supervisor received $16,043 in donations during this filing period; $693 came from donors who gave less than $100.
Contributions of $5,900
- Jamii and Stan Pura
- SEIU Local 521
Contributions of $1,000
- San Benito County Farm Bureau
- Dignity CA SEIU Local 2015
- Paul L. Wattis Jr.
Contribution of $450
- We Power California-PG&E Co Employees PAC
Contribution of $100
- Clark Stone
Stephens
The current Hollister mayor is campaigning for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, and in that effort she has received only one donation of $5,900 from Charles Knowles, co-founder of the San Francisco-based Wildlife Conservation Network.
Recall of Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez
Safer San Benito, the group pushing to oust Velazquez has received a total of $16,478.06 in contributions, including $2,344.37 from donors who gave less than $100.
Contribution of $10,000
- Operating Engineers 3 Statewide PAC
Contribution of $1,000
- Stephen Hickerson
Contribution of $500
- Sarah Garcia
Contribution of $250
- Tim Johnson
Contribution of $204.70
- Craig Jackson
Contribution of $154.74
- Kathi Morris
Contributions of $125
- Carol Lenoir
- Kelly Dominguez
- Celeste Toledo-Bocanegra
Contributions of $100
- Eduardo Diaz
- Stephen Hansen
- Stephen Rosati
Stop Developers, Say No to Recall of Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez
The anti-recall committee has received a total of $14,900 in donations. Velazquez loaned himself $10,100.
Contributions of $4,800
- Val Cole
- Charles Knowles
- Serena Rivera
Contributions of $500
- Paul Wattis
Measure D
The initiative that aims to reduce the tax rate cannabis cultivators pay has no known opponents. Its supporters have reported a total of $16,000 in contributions this year.
Contribution of $4,500
- EWE-TRAX LLC
Contribution of $4,000
- DNA Organics, Inc.
Contributions of $3,500
- Brigantino Irrigation Inc
- Jack Clark
Contribution of $500
- Jordan Blancarte
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