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City Beat
Ken Yeager leads in campaign spending for district
Kris Cunningham's campaign planning fundraiser with South Bay politicos
By Kate Carter
With the election for the District 6 city council seat less than two months away, San Jose State professor and City College board member Ken Yeager is leading former Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president Kris Cunningham in campaign money by a margin of nearly two-to-one.
According to representatives of both campaigns, Cunningham has raised about $34,500 to Yeager's $65,000.
Almost a third of Yeager's money is from a fundraiser held in the spring at former Mayor Susan Hammer's house. Yeager's campaign does not plan to hold more fundraisers prior to the election.
"It often takes money to make money," said Yeager, who is acting as treasurer for his campaign. "It's cheaper to raise money over the phone."
The Cunningham campaign is depending on an upcoming fundraiser, hosted by Rich and Diane Christina, to bring in at least $8,000. They raised a similar amount during another fundraiser held for the primary race. Co-hosts for the event include Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini, former Mayor Tom McEnery, Assemblyman Mike Honda, Supervisor Blanca Alvarado, and Councilwomen Pat Dando and Linda LeZotte.
The last campaign finance disclosure statements were issued on July 31, and reflected the contributions and spending for the period from Feb. 2 through June 30.
The reports indicate that Yeager has received $2,100 from Political Action Committees (PACs) to fund his campaign for the run-off election, and at least $1,200 for the primary election.
These PACs include the Home Builders Association of Northern California, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council Small Contributor Committee, the PG&E Employees State/Local PAC, the San Jose Police Officers Association, the Service Employees International Union Local 715 and other groups.
The next reports, due Oct. 5, will cover finances through Sept. 30.
Cunningham says she hasn't taken any committee money.
"I don't have access to those kinds of funds. My concentration has been on the quality of life in my own city." Cunningham has received $250 from the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, COMPAC.
Cunningham treasurer Karen Vierra says that the majority of their contributors are District 6 residents.
The report from July reveals that about half of Cunningham's contributions are from the 95125 ZIP code. Yeager's report indicates that about one-sixth of his contributions are from the 95125 ZIP code.
Cunningham and Yeager both have until Oct. 25, or 14 days before the election, to solicit contributions, that are capped at $89,500.
Both candidates have agreed to participate in the Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limits Program. San Jose provides this option for candidates to adhere to a limit on the amount of money they can raise. By making this choice, city council candidates are restricted from gathering no more than one dollar per resident in their district. They are also allowed to receive as much as $250 from any individual donor or organization. Candidates who do not participate in the program can accrue an unlimited amount of campaign money, but they are limited to only $100 from any donor.
Yeager says campaign money has come from, "a lot of people I've worked with in San Jose over the last 25 years," including people on the San Jose Community College Board, in the neighborhoods like Rose Garden and Willow Glen, and from former students and other people in education. Most of his contributors are people who know him. "I'm not sure anyone who didn't know me would be sending me money," he said.
Both candidates say they plan to use their campaign money on mailings to voters.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
