The Cupertino Courier

Spending took big dip in last week's election

But the three biggest spenders also won spots on the City Council

By Pam Marino

Under the shadow of campaign reform, this year's five City Council candidates raised and spent almost 40 percent less than candidates did two years ago.

In the 1995 election, five City Council candidates raised more than $100,000 in the election, but campaign reforms enacted since then kept the current five candidates' coffers below $63,000 total.

Candidates' reporting statements submitted to City Hall on Oct. 23 showed incumbent Don Burnett weighed in officially with the most money raised at $19,371. But that included a $5,000 loan he made to himself early in the campaign. Burnett spent only $7,399 of his total between July 1 and Oct. 21.

Burnett garnered approximately $1,350 from local Asian American contributors at a fundraising event held on Oct. 17, including $50 from fellow Councilman Michael Chang, who was featured prominently on Burnett's campaign mailer as one of his supporters.

With no loans, first-place winner John Statton raised the most money from contributors at $15,567. Statton also spent the most: $11,587.89.

The third biggest fundraiser was second-place finisher Sandy James, with $11,777.99. She spent the third-largest amount, $6,477.37.

Records show Andrea Harris raised the fourth-largest amount, $8,264, although she loaned herself $2,500. Harris finished fourth in last Tuesday's election. Of the five candidates, Harris spent the least amount of money, $3,901.

Four-time candidate Steven Haze raised the least money at $7,325, $5,000 of which was a loan from himself. He spent the fourth-largest amount, $5,077.28.

By law, the candidates were only allowed a maximum of $100 from each contributor; in some cases married couples or family members donated $100 each to a candidate.

The candidates also had to stop all fundraising activities two weeks before the election. Another report due after the election will reflect the spending of candidates in the last two weeks of the campaign, as well as after the election.

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