Local Democrats stake out fundraising lead in legislative races

The presumptive front-runners in races for the North Coast’s seats in the Legislature have maintained significant fundraising leads over their opponents, the latest campaign finance records show.

Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, raised $97,263 this reporting period and after spending $104,448 had $218,389 in cash on hand, according to documents filed with the Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento.

His Republican opponent in the 10th District Assembly race, Novato employment recruiter Gregory Allen, lagged far behind, raising $5,074, leaving him with $4,930.

Levine’s major donors included Wal-Mart, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and United Domestic Workers Of America, all of which contributed $8,200; Professional Engineers in California ($5,000); David Perry, senior managing director of TeamCo Advisers ($4,100); Howard Welinsky, senior vice president of Warner Bros. ($4,100); Government Laborers Pacific Southwest ($4,100); and Laurene Jobs, chairwoman of the Emerson Collective and wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs ($4,000).

The reporting period includes contributions received from May 18 through June 30.

Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire also maintained a formidable fundraising lead in the race for the 2nd District Senate seat held by Noreen Evans, who is retiring from public office.

McGuire, a Democrat, raised $65,911 this reporting period, and after spending $146,048 had $262,804 in cash on hand, records show.

McGuire’s Republican opponent, Lawrence Wiesner, a Santa Rosa CPA, did not file a financial report.

McGuire’s largest donors included Professional Engineers in California Government, California State Council of Service Employees, California Teachers Association and California State Association of Electrical Workers, all of which contributed $8,200.

In the race for the 4th District Assembly seat, which includes Rohnert Park and the unincorporated areas of Bennett Valley and Sonoma Valley, Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd, a Democrat, raised $55,433 and spent $110,086, leaving him with a balance of $262,491.

His Republican opponent, Esparto farmer and former school board member Charlie Schaupp, reported receiving $1,030 in contributions and spending just over $86, leaving him with $3,881 in cash on hand.

In the 2nd Assembly District, which spans Santa Rosa north of College Avenue and along the coast to the Oregon border, Healdsburg Mayor Jim Wood, a Democrat, raised $46,619 and spent $65,284 during the period, leaving him with $124,765. His largest donors included the Emergency Medical PAC and Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 104 PAC, which each contributed $4,100. His Republican opponent, Matt Heath, has not reported receiving any contributions to his campaign.

David McCuan, a political scientist at Sonoma State University, said the challenge for front-runners is to maintain voter interest in the races.

“It’ll be a tall order to continue to raise dollars as non-competitive races equate to less cash flow,” he said.

Leo Wallach, Levine’s campaign manager, said the assemblyman will stay engaged in the contest despite his fundraising lead and strong showing in the June primary.

“Although most political observers would agree that the fall election won’t be nearly as competitive or hard fought, Marc does take the process seriously and sees it as an opportunity to have a conversation with local voters about the future of California and the North Bay,” Wallach said Thursday.

You can reach Staff Writer ?Derek Moore at 521-5336 or ?derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter?@deadlinederek.