Paper trail: Bucks roll in for supervisor races
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
February 2, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO — With 10 months until Election Day, the money is swiftly piling up in the war chests of candidates battling for a seat in five districts on the Board of Supervisors.
The five races are turning into big-money contests in the high-stakes election that could bring a significant political shift to the Board of Supervisors.
One candidate raised nearly $90,000, three had in excess of $50,000 and several others raised more than $15,000, according to campaign contribution filings due Monday. The reports show contributions, of $500 or less per person, received between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31.
Five of the 11 seats on the board are up for election, and only one race, District 4, has an incumbent running.
The contributions indicate an “early viability” for candidates, according to David Latterman, a political consultant working on several campaigns in the district races. Overall in the five races, candidates have raised “a large amount of money,” Latterman said. “They all had their networks to tap.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Mark Farrell, a District 2 candidate who raised $89,656, the most of any registered hopeful. He also filed last week, declaring he has now raised in excess of $100,000 for a total $101,551.
Farrell, a Marina district native who works as a venture capitalist, came out strong in an effort to prove he could make a serious run against the more politically known and progressive-leaning Janet Reilly, according to Latterman.
In District 8, a race heating up for termed-out Bevan Dufty’s seat, Rebecca Prozan raised the most money, at $54,156, followed by Scott Weiner, with $51,134.
In the crowded race for Chris Daly’s District 6 seat, Debra Walker topped the money list of the 20 candidates, having raised $28.619. In District 10, Malia Cohen raised the most $18,505, followed by Steven Moss at $15,554.
In some races, the filings have yet to show the complete picture. Several candidates who are considered fierce competitors and may be able to raise tens of thousands of dollars only recently filed to run. Their fundraising is not captured in the latest filings.
They include District 10 candidate Lynette Sweet, a BART board member, and District 6 candidates Jane Kim, a progressive and president of the Board of Education, and moderate Theresa Sparks, a Newsom appointee to the Human Rights Commission.
Raking in the big bucks
With five of the 11 Board of Supervisors seats on the November ballot, and all but one member termed out, a bevy of candidates has started amassing war chests. Below are candidates who raised the most money as of Dec. 31.
District 10
Declared candidates: 10
Malia Cohen $18,505.00
District 8
Declared candidates: 5
Rebecca Prozan $54,156.03
District 4
Declared candidates: 1
Carmen Chu $68,899.00
District 2
Declared candidates: 4
Mark Farrell $89,656.00
District 6
Declared candidates: 20
Debra Walker $28,619.00
Source: Ethics Commission
jsabatini@sfexaminer.com
