City Council candidate Greg Larson was the last one to jump into an already crowded Santa Cruz race, but he’s wasted no time in sprinting to the front of the fundraising pack.
As of Monday, Sept. 22, Larson had raised $29,382, according to financial disclosure forms. His total is buoyed by 36 big donations from individuals—like Analicia Cube, William Ow, Charles Canfield, Caleb Baskin, and former state Controller Steve Westly—who each gave the maximum $350. Such donations account for more than a third of Larson’s fundraising total. Larson, a former Los Gatos city manager, also took out a $10,000 loan, and he’s spent about that much already, giving him nearly $30,000 still on hand.
City Councilmember Richelle Noroyan, the race’s only incumbent, has raised the second most, with $25,465, while environmental consultant Donna Meyers is third in the money marathon with $25,193 raised.
Also in the race for these three council seats is progressive candidate Justin Cummings, an environmental educator, who has raised $15,426. Meanwhile, like-minded community organizer Drew Glover, who has earned many of the same endorsements, has pulled in close to $10,000. Glover announced last spring that he would halt fundraising to focus on connecting with voters instead.
Five other candidates have raised less than $6,000: Phillip Crawford, Cynthia Hawthorne, Ashley Scontriano, Dave King, and Paige Concannon—the latter of whom, if elected, would be the first Republican to serve on the council in years.
