Businessman Renard Johnson, a political newcomer, continues to far out raise other candidates in the El Paso mayoral race – bringing in more than four times his seven challengers combined.
Johnson, CEO of Management and Engineering International, has raised about $890,000 since launching his campaign in January, with about $389,000 of that during the last month, campaign finance reports show.
About $255,000 of the last month’s donations is reported as in-kind contributions, including about $150,000 from the Protect and Serve Texas PAC, which sent out mailers promoting Johnson’s campaign. Other in-kind contributions include $4,200 for an unspecified contribution from Woody Hunt, about $1,000 from Severo Hughston LLC for office space, and $100,000 from the Ysleta del Sur Tiguas for advertising.
This past month, Johnson’s top donors included his father, Alvin Johnson, $15,000; founder and president of Wolf Energy, Larry Wollshlager, $10,000; finance company CEO Ed Escudero and his wife, Margarita, $7,500; businessman Woody Hunt and his wife, Gayle, $7,500; and businessman Aaron Chiu, $5,500. Donors who gave $5,000 are Pamela Agullo, Ogechika Alozie, Scott Bain, Josefino Bencomo III and Emma Wollschlager.
Renard faces city Reps. Brian Kennedy, Cassandra Hernandez and Isabel Salcido in the Nov. 5 election, as well as Steven Winters, Elizabeth Cordova, Marco Antonio Contreras and Ben Mendoza.
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Kennedy, an attorney with a background in events promotions, has raised about $42,000 for his campaign, including about $11,000 during the most recent reporting period. The District 1 city representative has loaned his campaign about $181,000. Kennedy’s largest contributions during this filing period were $2,500 from the El Paso Association of Firefighters PAC and $3,000 from Stanley Jobe.
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Hernandez, who represents District 3 on City Council, has raised about $103,000, including about $4,000 during the last reporting period. She did not report any contributions larger than $500 during the last reporting period. Hernandez has loaned her campaign about $67,000.
Salcido, a businesswoman and District 5 city representative, reported raising about $34,000 during the latest reporting period, bringing her campaign total to about $41,000. Salcido also loaned her campaign $100,000. Salcido’s largest contribution was a $30,000 donation from Salvador Robledo, her campaign treasurer.
The remaining candidates hadn’t reported raising any money as of Tuesday. The eighth-day before the election reports were due Monday.
Early voting continues through Friday, Nov. 1, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A runoff, which is likely in the race, will take place Dec. 14. The winning candidate would take office in January and serve a four-year term with an annual salary now set at about $95,000.
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