The three candidates for the 5th District seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors have kicked their respective campaigns into high gear as the June 5 election approaches, canvassing neighborhoods, meeting voters and having supporters display signs all over Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley.
They’re also busy raking in cash, though not all three candidates are drawing equal monetary support, according to the most recent numbers available through the Santa Cruz County Election Department.
As of the most recent reporting deadline March 17, Bill Smallman of Lompico trailed his competitors, Eric Hammer of Boulder Creek and Bruce McPherson of Pasatiempo, by a wide margin.
Eric Hammer
As of March 17, Hammer’s campaign had raised $32,558 in all, much of it from individual contributors, and reported $388 remaining in its coffers.
In addition to $6,639 in his war chest to begin the year, Eric Hammer received cash contributions of $15,402 to his campaign during the reporting period, comprising $11,102 in monetary donations and $4,300 in loans. Six private donors gave the maximum $400 amount allowed by county election rules.
During the same span of time, Hammer’s camp spent $21,653 on campaign costs, including $12,000 for the services of campaign manager Daniel McCormick.
Bruce McPherson
As of March 17, McPherson’s campaign had raised a grand total of $86,934 and had $42,706 remaining after all expenses to that point.
After entering the reporting period with $48,882, Bruce McPherson’s campaign raised $37,052 in monetary contributions by the reporting deadline.
Of those donations, McPherson collected the maximum donation of $400 from 37 individuals.
During the reporting period, the candidate spent $43,228 on campaign costs.
Those costs included $5,200 for website management; more than $14,000 for campaign literature and printing costs; and $11,500 to hire Stephen Reed, one of McPherson’s campaign managers.
Bill Smallman
Compared with the five-figure contributions and expenditures of his competition, Bill Smallman’s campaign has been a small operation.
Smallman had raised $4,310 before the reporting deadline and had a balance of $2,581 after expenses.
As of a statement dated March 22, the Smallman camp had taken $3,249 into its coffers, consisting of $249 in individual donations and $3,000 the candidate lent to his own campaign.All of his fundraising took place after the beginning of the year.
During that period, $1,728 was spent to produce campaign signs and brochures.
The candidates’ next mandatory reporting date is May 24.
For information: www.votescount.com.
