news story / By John C. Osborn

Money in Politics

The $100,000 club; Blue Lake buoys Cleary, Gallegos, Downey, Brooks

(June 3, 2010)  It’s that time again. The latest round of campaign finance disclosure forms have arrived, and the money frenzy reached new heights. By this point, the lines are drawn and the typical players are rallying behind one candidate or another.

In the Fourth District Supervisor race, incumbent Bonnie Neely and contender Virginia Bass broke the $100,000 threshold already, while Fifth District Supe candidate Ryan Sundberg and District Attorney incumbent Paul Gallegos are just about there themselves.

Overall, most expenditures have focused on television and radio advertising. To date, all candidates have spent collectively at least $200,000 to that end. It is also worth noting that Blue Lake Rancheria has contributed an astounding $62,000 to-date to a variety of candidates, making them the largest benefactor in this election cycle, followed by Bill Pierson’s Sedgefield Properties with $15,000.

Fifth District Supervisor

Ryan Sundberg ($41,408 in monetary and non-monetary donations raised this cycle; $97,675 total) maintains his financial superiority in the Fifth District race. He received eight contributions of $1,000 or more this time: $1,500 from North Coast Fabricators, Harvey Harper Co., Lundblade & Co. and the Humboldt Builders’ Exchange PAC, along with $1,000 bumps from Jackie Saunderson (St. Joseph’s Hospital nurse), Harry Hardin (Eel River Disposal), Ellen Mora (Humboldt Auction Yard) and Dennis Wendt River Walk Property.

Sundberg has spent a good deal of his money on advertising — about $30,000. He has, interestingly enough, stayed clear of any radio advertising according to his disclosures, but he spent about $17,000 in television ad production and airtime, while also publishing ads in many local print publications, including the Two Rivers Tribune, Senior News and the Journal. Aside from advertising, Sundberg spent about $10,000 in salaries.

Patrick Cleary ($43,567 this cycle; $63,624 total) was the largest cash-earner of all the candidates this time, yet he is nowhere near Sundberg in funding. The most eye-widening contribution comes from the Blue Lake Rancheria, who hooked Cleary up this cycle to the tune of $15,000 ($20,000 total). Bill Pierson-owned Sedgefield Properties dropped $5,000, North Coast Horticultural Supply gave $3,000 and the Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff’s Organization threw down $1,500. Cleary continues to gain financial support from Humboldt State employees, lawyers and medical professionals, while also garnering contributions from several local businesses, including Cypress Grove and Los Bagels.

Most of Cleary’s expenses went toward advertising and consulting, spending $22,980 with J. Garland Communications for television and radio advertising while also dropping $17,857 with Sacramento-based Duffy & Capitilo for consulting services. But it appears, based on the disclosures, that Cleary’s advertising strategy is primarily focused on television and radio.

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