Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan can thank herself – and $250,000 in personal checks – for taking in the most money in the special congressional race to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher.
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi can boast of having the most cash on hand heading into the stretch run for the Sept. 1 vote.
State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier can lay claim to having raised the highest percentage of money from political action committees – and racking up the highest amount of debt.
And upstart candidate Anthony Woods, an Iraq War veteran discharged after admitting he was gay, can claim the highest percentage of contributions from individual donors.
An analysis of campaign spending reports reveals some starkly different characteristics in fundraising for the four top Democratic contenders in the traditionally blue district that extends from Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties to Walnut Grove and Isleton in Sacramento County.
Garamendi has raised $300,463 and had the most campaign cash left to spend – $205,382 after campaign debts were tabulated.
The former state insurance commissioner and veteran lawmaker took in 90 percent of his money in individual contributions and 10 percent from political action committees representing telecommunications, legal services, agriculture and labor.
"From a candidate's perspective, what's important is how much cash you have going forward," Garamendi said. Criticizing Buchanan's fundraising, he added: "How much is she going to loan herself? Other than her checkbook, it is not so good."
Buchanan, an Alamo assemblywoman and former Delta Dental executive, made personal loans of $150,000 and $100,000 to her campaign. She had $121,630 in cash left from her total funding of $313,908 after accounting for unpaid bills, according to campaign reports ending June 30.
Buchanan said she loaned money to her campaign to counter Garamendi's name recognition and earlier entry into the race.
"This reflects my personal commitment to be a serious contender in the race," she said.
DeSaulnier, who represents Concord in the state Senate, raised $211,229, more than one-fourth from political action committees, including the Solidarity PAC of Bay Area Rep. George Miller and union committees for plumbers, ship pilots, and metal, food and commercial workers.
DeSaulnier reported unpaid campaign bills of $77,131 that left him with $59,378 in available cash.
Woods, endorsed by VoteVets.org and the Human Rights Campaign PAC, raised $104,840 – 97 percent from individual contributions. He had $65,403 in cash left – with $58 in unpaid bills.
"It is not surprising to see the Sacramento politicians in this race running up the most debt," said Todd Stenhouse, spokesman for Woods.
The leading Republican in the race, attorney David Harmer, has raised $175,131. He had $127,571 cash left after unpaid campaign bills.
The 10th Congressional District seat became open when Tauscher accepted a State Department appointment from President Barack Obama.
Call Peter Hecht, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5539.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.