Allman leads pack in Mendocino County campaign fundraising

Three candidates vying to be Mendocino County's next sheriff are the front runners in the local candidates' race to collect and spend campaign money.

Lt. Tom Allman has raised and spent the most money since January, according to campaign reports for the reporting period ending May 20. He raised $65,903, including $33,247 in monetary contributions, $1,621 in nonmonetary contributions and $31,036 in loans to himself. He has spent $60,200 on advertising and consulting services since January.

The amount of money being spent on county races appalled proponents of campaign contribution limits.

"It's obscene," said Els Cooperrider, a 5th District Supervisor candidate who limits individual contributions to her campaign to $100.

Allman's financial backers include two former sheriffs, Tony Craver and Jim Tuso. Craver contributed $160 to Allman's campaign. Tuso's wife, Bonnie, contributed $680.

Allman's largest contributions included $6,060 from Barbara Newell, owner of Performance Coatings in Ukiah; $1,500 from Long Valley Market owner Michael Braught; and $1,000 from retired professor and Laytonville resident Gene Geisler.

Incumbent Sheriff Kevin Broin, who was appointed to the position last year, raised the most cash, $39,094. He has also collected about $5,000 in nonmonetary contributions for a total of $44,094 since January.

Broin's full report was not available at the county Clerk-Recorder's Office Friday, one day after the Thursday filing deadline. He said he's spent roughly $40,000 on his campaign.

Broin's contributors' list was not available Friday.

The third sheriff's candidate, Lt. Don Miller, has raised $31,940 since January, including $16,119 in monetary contributions, $12,821 in nonmonetary contributions, and a $3,000 loan. He spent $31,995.

His larger contributions included $500 from North Coast Plumbing, $500 from attorney Doug Kerten, $500 from logger Michael Anderson and $500 from Watkins Sand and Gravel.

Contributions for other Mendocino County races varied wildly from candidate to candidate.

In the vitriolic race for district attorney, incumbent District Attorney Norm Vroman has not filed a campaign disclosure statement .

Reports are required if more than $1,000 is raised or spent.

Myron Sawicki, Vroman's former right-hand man, reported raising $18,515 in cash contributions and spending $28,001.

His contributors include Ukiah Councilman John McCowen, $200; attorney Susan Stacey-Henwood, $500; and Barry Gallagher of Oakland, $500.

District attorney candidate Meredith Lintott has raised $13,529, including $4,650 in loans. She spent $14,660.

In the race for Superior Court Judge, Clay Brennan has raised $31,554 and spent $35,201 while his opponent, Jone Lemos, has raised $5,783 and spent $4,861.

Of the money Brennan raised, $21,150 was in loans from him and his mother and $10,404 was in cash contributions.

Lemos raised $5,173 in cash and $610 in non-monetary contributions.

In the race for treasurer-tax collector, Shari Schapmire, the retiring incumbent's choice for a successor, has raised $25,793 and spent $27,259. Her opponent, Former Clerk Executive Officer Tania Ugrin-Capobianco, raised $4,586 and spent $5,705.

The amounts raised in the supervisor races are equally divergent.

In the 3rd District race, incumbent Hal Wagenet has raised $36,002 and spent $11,889 while his opponent and former Supervisor John Pinches has raised $12,187 and spent $9,140.

Wagenet's contributors include the Mendocino coast Democratic Club, $500; Performance Coatings, $1,000; Bryan and Patty Lawlis of Burlingame, $1,000; Willits attorney Chris Nary, $1,000; Peter Koch, of Willits, $1,000; and SEIU Local 707, $875.

Pinches did not provide a list of contributors. Only contributors who give $100 or more are required to be listed. Pinches said he limits his incoming contributions to $49.

In the 5th District supervisor race, incumbent David Colfax was in the lead.

He raised $17,617, loaned himself $2,000 and spent $18,355.

His rivals raised considerably less. Els Cooperrider, who said he won't accept contributions in excess of $100 each, raised $5,234 and spent $4,718. The other two candidates, Tom Madden and Robert Gardner have not submitted reports because they're not actively campaigning.

"I don't agree with spending all that money on campaigns," Gardner said.