Fennell is ahead in race for donations

With the Nov. 3 election on the horizon, both candidates vying to be Humboldt County’s 2nd District supervisor have raised thousands of dollars, though the incumbent, Estelle Fennell, has a clear lead in donations.

Fennell, running for her third term, has raised a dollar shy of $15,600 since campaign season opened in mid-July.

Michelle Bushnell, a challenger, has raised over $9,260 in the same span of time.

Campaign finance statements show that both candidates primarily received contributions from individuals, many of whom are self-employed or retired. But the two got support from a number of businesses.

Businesses that have donated to Fennell’s campaign include Harper Motors, Mid City Motor

World and Mattole Farms.

The list of businesses supporting Bushnell, meanwhile, includes Redway Tire Company, Harvest Moon Farms and Humboldt Logging and Rentals.

The two candidates are headed for a runoff race this upcoming election after Fennell fell just short of a clear majority in the March race, winning 49.92% of the vote.

If she had crossed the 50% threshold, there would be no runoff: Fennell would be re-elected outright.

Bushnell, meanwhile, secured 29.93% of the vote in a five-candidate race.

The county’s 2nd District includes Fortuna, Rio Dell and the vast majority of Southern Humboldt’s unincorporated communities.

Ahead of the March election, Bushnell, a business owner and member of the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, spoke broadly about reforming local cannabis regulations.

Fennell has served since 2012 and saw rural Humboldt County through the birth of the legal marijuana era. While campaigning earlier this year, she cited her past leadership on the board of supervisors, where she currently serves as chair.