Incumbents’ cash reserves blow past competitors
Two incumbents in the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors race have an advantage over their competitors in terms of cash reserves.
The candidates’ first campaign finance statements show both 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn and 2nd District Supervisor Estelle Fennell have substantially more cash on hand than their competition; Bohn has $57,166.38 in the bank while Fennell has $42,233. Their competitors have a fraction of that. Statements for Michelle Bushnell, of the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, and Hydesville resident Rick French, who are both running for the 2nd District seat, were unavailable.
Bohn’s campaign has received a total of $3,688 from eight donors, seven of which were retirees. He has spent $9,655.84 since the start of this year and the campaign, leaving more than $57,000 in the bank.
His competitor, local radio host Cliff Berkowitz, has received $5,020 from nine individuals from various professions, the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee and three retirees, so far this year. Berkowitz hasn’t listed any expenditures since the beginning of the year and his current cash balance was left blank.
In the 2nd District race, Fennell received $3,478 from 10 individuals who were mostly business owners and professionals, as well as a couple of retirees. Fennell has spent $966 so far this year and has $42,233 in the bank.
Sean DeVries has received a total of $2,600 in contributions from six individuals, including himself, three retirees, a College of the Redwoods instructor and CEO of a local company.
His campaign has spent $1,582.20 and still has $1,017 on hand.
Michael McKaskle received three donations totaling $3,100 from three retirees, including himself, and most of that — $1,761.97 of $2,210.68 spent — went to the Humboldt
County Election’s Office.
Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson, who is running unopposed, did not file a campaign finance statement.
Election’s Office staff said they report individuals who don’t meet the deadline to the state and those candidates have to pay a fine.