Thorne leading in campaign funding Thorne leading in campaign funding (October 22, 2004)

Hosterman, Ayala near $10,000 mark
by Jeb Bing

City Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman is leading the race for mayor in terms of financial contributions, with $9,009 now in her campaign war chest, according to a financial statement covering the election period through Sept. 30. Of the total reported, Hosterman has received $7,785 in cash contributions and another $1,224 in estimated services rendered for her campaign.

Candidates are scheduled to update their campaign financial records today under guidelines imposed by the state Fair Elections Practices Commission.

As for strictly cash contributions, however, Councilwoman Kay Ayala was ahead with $8,566. The third candidate for mayor, Attorney Gabe Kralik, was trailing with $3,500 in total contributions.

In the City Council race, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jerry Thorne led with total contributions of $15,508, including $14,311 in cash. That amount included $3,249 from the donation of a loan made to his unsuccessful run for City Council two years ago.

Former school board trustee and council candidate Cindy McGovern reported total contributions of $7,089, with $6,617 of that in cash donations. Planning Commissioner Matt Sullivan, also a council candidate, reported total cash and non-monetary contributions of $4,928.

The largest contributors to Hosterman's campaign were $1,000 checks from downtown property owner Robert Byrd and Goble Properties on Hopyard Road. Most of the other contributions were in the $25 to $100 range. None of the contributions to Ayala's campaign totaled more than $500, with most totaling $100. Kralik's campaign fund received its most financial support from Kralik himself and his wife Betty Tse Kralik, who each donated $500.

Council candidate Thorne's campaign reported the largest number of contributors, with 80 making cash donations ranging up to $250, with two separate donations of $500 from developer James Tong and Pleasanton Garbage Co. owner Bob Molinaro. Thorne also had the largest number of non-monetary contributions, with $2,000 in services and goods donated by supporters. These included donations of a John Madden-signed football and Oakland A's tickets that were sold at an auction held at a Thorne campaign fundraiser.

McGovern received cash contributions from 78 supporters, none of them for more than $100. Sullivan had 27 donations, including two separate $500 contributions from Debara Lutkenhouse, a film producer who lives in Pleasanton, and Charles Storke and Nancy Faville, attorneys.

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