Campaign finance reports released Feb. 5 show a stark divide in fundraising for the March 3 municipal election to succeed Mayor Gregg Hull.
Former chair of the Democratic Party of Sandoval County Alexandria Piland, City Councilor Paul Wymer and Sandoval County Commissioner Michael Meek have emerged as the financial front-runners in the six-way race for mayor.
The latest reporting period covers campaign activity through Feb. 3, with a third report due March 2, one day before the election. The first campaign finance reports were filed on Jan. 20.
Wymer reported the largest haul for the current period, bringing in $27,700. His total contributions to date reached $40,238.99, bolstered by several $5,000 donations from local businesses, including Roadrunner Redi-Mix Inc. and JPR Decorative Gravel Inc.. Wymer’s expenditures to date total $8,339.01, leaving him with significant capital as early voting began this week.
Piland reported the highest cumulative expenditure at $13,644.21, despite raising less than Wymer overall. Piland has brought in $38,722 to date, with $8,290.20 collected during this reporting period. Her filings show a heavy reliance on small-donor contributions and several in-kind donations for postage stamps.
Meek has raised $11,998.19 to date. His recent report showed $1,402.49 in new contributions, including a $959.70 credit card donation from a retired resident. Meek’s campaign has spent $9,991.67 so far, with recent funds going toward printed mailers and graphic design services.
The remaining candidates reported significantly smaller war chests:
- Corrine Rios: Reported $850 in contributions for the period and $4,129.52 to date. Her expenditures to date total $3,101.10.
- Aleitress Owens-Smith: Collected $200 this period for a total of $750 to date. Her total spending stands at $624.
- Zachary Darden: The youngest candidate in the race reported $100 in new contributions, bringing his total to $350. He has spent $238.58 to date, primarily on political signs.
Two city council candidates in a contested race for the District 5 seat did not have reports available to review for this period but reported modest fundraising on Jan. 20.
Incumbent councilor Karissa Culbreath raised $6,030.46, including $1,944.71 she described as “carryover of surplus” from a previous campaign and multiple loans to her own campaign totaling $3,090.46. She spent $1,145.75, all reimbursing herself for campaign loans.
Calvin Ward, a retired military veteran who is vying to unseat Culbreath, raised $751.62, primarily through loans he made to his own campaign, and spent $608.35 on campaign materials and services.
Soon to be three-term City Councilor Bob Tyler, who is running unopposed for re-election to the District 3 City Council seat, reported a single $1,000 contribution this period and total contributions of $23,769.18.
Incumbent Jeremy Lenentine, who is running unopposed for his District 3 seat on the Governing Body, filed a statement of no activity.
If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on March 3, the top two finishers will move to a runoff election on April 14.