City Council Challengers Continue Reaping Contributions

By Jorge Casuso

October 26, 2018 -- City Council challenger Ashley Powell continued filling her campaign coffers, raising nearly $40,000 over the past month, according to campaign finance statements submitted by Thursday's deadline.

Powell raised $39,636 and spent $32,406, leaving her with $36,517 going into the homestretch in the November 6 race for three Council seats.

Powell had by far the most contributions of $100 or more with 146 during the reporting period from September 23 to October 20.

She received 211 contributions during the previous filing period ("Challengers for Santa Monica City Council Lead Fundraising Race," September 27, 2018).

Incumbent Sue Himmelrich and challenger Greg Morena surpassed the amount Powell raised thanks to loans the candidates made to their own campaigns.

Himmelrich loaned her campaign $50,000 in the form of two $25,000 loans during the latest reporting period, while Morena loaned his campaign $25,000, according to the statements.

Himmelrich -- who has loaned her campaign $75,000 -- received nine contributions of $100 or more for a total of $52,645 this reporting period.

She spent $32,537 and finished with a balance of $30,581.

Morena received $18,035, with 63 contributions of more than $100, in addition to the $25,000 loan.

Contributors included Mayor Ted Winterer, Councilmember Gleam Davis and former Mayor Denny Zane, a co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR).

Morena spent $41,184 and ended with $15,563.

Council member Pam O'Connor -- who raised $15,303 -- was second in the number of contributions of $100 or more with 80, many coming from a wide array of longtime civic and business leaders and former government workers.

They include Mgsr. Torgerson of Saint Monica Catholic Church, former City Attorney Marsha Moutrie and former City official Kate Vernez.

Other contributors were Councilmember Davis; Jeff Klocke, vice president and general manager of Pacific Park; three prominent local architects and several partners with the local land use law firm Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal, LLP (HLKK).

O'Connor spent $1,535 during the current filing period and finished with an ending balance of $12,915.

Councilmember Kevin McKeown had 43 contributions of $100 or more totaling $8,075. His campaign spent $16,609 and had an ending balance of $2,526.

Among the contributors were Zane, Moutrie and School Board members Laurie Lieberman and Ralph Mechur.

Himmelrich, McKeown and Morena have the support of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR), the city's most powerful political organization.

Santa Monica Forward, which is largely funded by contributions from developers, is backing McKeowm, Morena and O'Connor.

While the Police Officers Association -- in a rare move to support more candidates than there are seats -- is backing the three incumbents and Morena, .

Challengers Scott Bellomo and Geoffrey Neri did not report any contributions.