McGuire leads in 4th District money race

The race for Fourth District Supervisor is continuing to heat up
and shake itself out. A new candidate has jumped into the race,
endorsements continue to roll in and financial figures released
this week show the candidates have raised an unprecedented amount
of money early in their campaigns.
Healdsburg City Councilmember Mike McGuire and Windsor Town
Councilmember Debora Fudge, who have been campaigning for the
county seat for months, were joined last week by Windsor resident
and business owner Chris Frye, who has begun the process of
entering the race.
Frye is the owner of Alternative Energy Inc., a solar energy
business based in Windsor.
According to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters office, Frye
recently picked up “sig-in-lieu” forms that if properly filed by
February 25, allow a candidate to bypass the filing fee.
Financial campaign reports have been filed by both McGuire and
Fudge and according to the Registrar of Voters, McGuire raised more
than double the amount Fudge raised over the final six months of
2009.
McGuire raised $110,854 during the period covering July 1
through Dec. 31.
During the same time, Windsor Town Councilmember Debora Fudge
reported raising $51,796.05. This brought her total raised for the
calendar year of 2009 to $65,458.05.
By March of 2006, when Fudge was challenging incumbent
Supervisor Paul Kelley, neither candidate had raised more than
$45,000.
This time around, both candidates have spent campaign funds
during the early season, leaving McGuire with $75,077 on hand and
Fudge with $42,905.66.
McGuire said he is honored by the strong show of early
support.
“I am so grateful for this strong showing from a broad
cross-section of supporters,” McGuire said. “We are building a
coalition that can not only win this campaign, but work together in
the coming years to solve the very serious challenges facing our
county.”
Endorsements for both candidates have increased in the time
since Kelley announced he would not seek re-election.
Both McGuire and Fudge spent the days following the announcement
garnering the endorsements of former Kelley supporters as well as
influential community leaders.
Fudge said her campaign is going great and says she has a
significant lead in the race based on the work she has done since
running for the same seat in 2006.
“I feel I have a significant lead because of my name recognition
and all of the major endorsements that are coming my way,” she
said.
Fudge recently announced she gained the support of Sonoma County
Sheriff Bill Cogbill, Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane, and
former Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly.
“These Sonoma County leaders know we need experienced and proven
leadership in our next District 4 Supervisor,” Fudge said. “I am
looking forward to working with them to create a long-term plan for
an economically and environmentally sustainable Sonoma County.”
Cloverdale Vice Mayor Jessalee Raymond, Cloverdale City
Councilmember Joe Palla, former Healdsburg Mayor Jerry Eddinger and
Healdsburg City Councilmember Gary Plass are among the current and
former elected officials recently throwing their support behind
McGuire.
Windsor Town Councilmember Steve Allen, who spent the last few
weeks considering a run for the seat himself, said on Tuesday that
he would not run, and that he would support McGuire in his bid for
the seat.
“My biggest concern is our local economy and jobs, while keeping
a balance with protecting our environment,” Allen said. “After
sitting down with Mike McGuire, I am convinced that Mike McGuire
will be able to accomplish that balance. Mike has the energy and
willingness to listen to and work with the varied constituent base
in the Fourth District. This is why Mike has my endorsement, and
that I will not be running at this time.”
Candidates have until March 17 to file paperwork to run for
county Supervisor. The next campaign fundraising statements are due
March 22 and will cover the period from Jan. 1 through March
17.