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Before the San Diego 2012 mayor’s race officially began, a $100,000 haul in the campaign’s first frantic three weeks was seen as a strong showing for a serious candidate.
Then Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher dropped a $300,000 fundraising bomb. City Councilman Carl DeMaio announced a $540,000 campaign war chest with half of that coming from his own pockets.
So pity District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who released her fundraising figures Monday, the campaign disclosure deadline. Dumanis raised $156,607 in cash and in-kind contributions, including a $10,000 personal loan. The number puts her far behind her fellow Republicans, but she said it exceeded her campaign’s $100,000 goal.
“I’m really happy about the strong showing that we made,” Dumanis said. “We’re in good shape so early in the campaign.”
While June fundraising was an early test for the candidates, it’s still very early. Raising money early on was seen as especially important for Fletcher, the least-known of the major candidates. DeMaio’s numbers were significant because they showed he could attract support from a large group of contributors, not just himself.
Dumanis, the long-time district attorney and endorsed candidate of current Mayor Jerry Sanders, said she didn’t need to make as big a splash.
“Raising a lot of money isn’t a substitute for experience,” she said.
Congressman Bob Filner reported raising $104,110. His figure has a few caveats. He transferred $36,000 from his existing federal campaign account and many of his donations were for both the primary and the general election. He only can spend the dollars received for the primary for the June election.
He’s the only major Democrat in the race, and he has said that puts him on a different timeline than everyone else.
Fletcher and DeMaio filed their official campaign disclosures Monday, too. Fletcher raised $320,007 and has just less than $300,000 in cash on hand counting his campaign debts. DeMaio raised $545,031, counting his own $273,902 contribution, and has about $450,000 in cash on hand counting his campaign debts.
Liam Dillon is a news reporter for voiceofsandiego.org. He covers San Diego City Hall and big buildings. What should he write about next?
Please contact him directly at liam.dillon@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5663.