By Brian Park
With less than a month to go until the November 6 election, San Juan Capistrano City Council candidates have started to put up their signs around the city and have submitted their first round of campaign finance statements.
Incumbent Councilman Sam Allevato and Ginny Kerr, who are running in support of each other, have each raised significantly more funds than the team of Roy Byrnes and Kim McCarthy, who are members of the local watchdog group Capistrano Common Sense.
Thus far, Allevato and Kerr have raised $16,826.72 and $18,608.55, respectively. Both have received support from former Orange County sheriff Brad Gates, former councilman Joe Soto and Rancho Mission Viejo leaders Tony Moiso and Gilbert Aguirre.
Additionally, Kerr has loaned her own campaign $2,570 and has received a contribution from Ed Connor, who filed a complaint last month with the state Fair Political Practices Commission against Capistrano Common Sense.
McCarthy has raised $4,000, including a $1,200 personal loan to her campaign. Byrnes has raised $7,150, primarily through a $6,000 personal loan.
Despite the parity in campaign funds, McCarthy and Byrnes each received the Orange County GOP’s endorsements last week over Allevato and Kerr. Their endorsements must receive final approval at the GOP Central Committee’s next meeting on Monday, October 15.
Political newcomer Tom Marantz indicated he will not spend nor receive more than $1,000 in campaign contributions.
The second campaign-finance statements are due Thursday, October 25.
Below are the candidates’ campaign finance statements in the order in which their names appear on the ballot:
Sam Allevato 2012 Campaign Finance Statement
Ginny Kerr 2012 Campaign Finance Statement
Kim McCarthy 2012 Campaign Finance Statement
Tom Marantz 2012 Campaign Finance Statement
Roy Byrnes 2012 Campaign Finance Statement
