A month out from Election Day, mayoral candidate Renard Johnson has raised almost $500,000 – more than three times the combined totals reported by his seven opponents, campaign finance reports show.
Businessman Johnson reported raising about $486,000 since becoming a candidate for mayor earlier this year. The three incumbent city representatives in the race have raised far less and are relying on personal loans to their campaigns to fund their races.
City Rep. Cassandra Hernandez has raised $99,000 since her 2020 reelection. City Rep Brian Kennedy raised $31,000 since his 2022 election and loaned his campaign $181,000. City Rep. Isabel Salcido has raised just over $10,000 since her 2022 election and loaned her campaign $100,000.
The other four candidates on the mayoral ballot – Steven Winters, Elizabeth Cordova, Marco Antonio Contreras and Ben Mendoza – hadn’t reported raising any money as of Tuesday. The most recent report was due Monday, 30 days before the election.
The City Clerk’s Office said it is still processing some campaign finance reports filed this week.
In the six City Council races on the ballot, candidates generally raised small amounts of money. The most successful fundraiser was Alejandra “Ale” Chavez, who is running for the District 1 City Council seat and raised almost $82,000.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with early voting taking place from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. A runoff election, if required, will be Dec. 14. The elected mayor and city representatives would take office in January 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of how much candidates in the mayor and City Council races raised, their biggest or notable donors, and how much money they’ve spent:
Top donors to El Paso mayor candidates
Johnson, 58, a businessman and CEO of METI, has raised about $486,000 in his bid for mayor, campaign finance reports show.
“I’m honored to have the support of more than 500 individuals, many of which have joined our ‘915 Club’ in symbolically donating $9.15 to help me build a better El Paso,” Johnson said in a statement to El Paso Matters. “These funds have helped me buy ads, mailers, signs, literature, and other necessities for a campaign. I’m thrilled to have the support of so many people and I hope it speaks to the desire of El Pasoans to create a city that is vibrant and beneficial for us all.”
His largest single donation came from developer Preston Brown, who contributed $25,000. He also received $24,500 from his father, Alvin Johnson; $15,000 from Julio Chiu, founder, CEO and chairman of the board for Seisa Medical; $14,000 in in-kind support for advertising from the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo PAC; $8,600 from real estate developer Adam Frank and a $7,500 contribution from developer Douglas Schwartz. Johnson also contributed $25,000 to his own campaign.
Johnson received $5,000 donations from business people Deborah Falknor, Paige Fox, Lane Gaddy, Michael Martin, Wayne Martin, J.K. Robinson, Edward Houghton, Kathy and Raymond Palacios, Edward Escudero, and Miguel Fernandez.
He also received a $3,750 contribution from Richard Aguilar and $3,000 contributions from A&V Doctor PLLC, Kevin Johnson and Jennifer Molokwu.
Donors who gave $2,500 are Charles Amato, Ed Anderson, Joseph Derobbio, Hector and Celina Flores, Robert Foster, Rick Francis, Susan and Ruben Guerra, Josh and Tita Hunt, Woody and Gayle Hunt, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC, Chris Lyons, Gary and Cecilia Porras, Blake Anderson, Benjamin Arriola, Robert Brown, James Cardwell Jr., Aaron Chiu, Rodrigo Fernandez, Eduardo Fernandez, Steve Fox, Pat Gordon, Jon and Susan Hjalmquist, Louise Johnson, Ronnie Lowenfield, Stephen Morgan, Miguel Pina, Debra and Javier “Jay” Reyes, Allan and Patty Russell, Isha and Steve Santamaria, Peter Spier and Brent Harris.
Johnson reported spending about $274,000 on his campaign for expenses such as salaries and wages, credit card payments and consulting among others.
Hernandez, 37, city representative for District 3, has raised about $99,000 since her last election in 2020. She has spent about $61,000 and, with the help of her loan to her campaign, reports that she had about $109,000 in her campaign bank account heading into the last month of the election.
“I think my fundraising efforts really demonstrate the support that I have from everyday El Paso, and so I want to see their city progress,” Hernandez said. “Although I may not be leading in fundraising numbers, I know that I am leading in grassroots advocacy efforts.”
The largest contributor to Hernandez’s campaign is Pablo Duran, who gave about $10,000. She received $5,000 donations from Rosa Alvarado, Norma Alvarado-Chavez, Guillermina Chavez, Stephen Hernandez, Zenia Hernandez and Christina Stover.
Hernandez received $4,000 contributions from Raymond Alvarado, Rosa Alvarado and the DEC PAC, as well as $3,500 Ryan Kieffe.
Her $2,500 donors are Norma Alvarado, Ricardo Chavez, Mark Hernandez, Sylvia Hernandez, Steve Ortega, Woody and Gayle Hunt, Maria Teran, Bill and Linda Correa, Rick Francis and the El Paso Association of Firefighters Local 51 PAC.
Kennedy, 69, city representative for District 1 and an attorney, reported raising about $31,000 in campaign contributions over the last two reporting periods. The vast majority of his campaign funds come from $181,000 in personal loans.
“I’m 90% self-funded. I’ve spent time being a City Council member, campaigning and listening to all the people, and I’ve turned down any special interest money, and I think that’s important (so) that I remain independent,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said he has held a few small fundraisers with friends and family, but planned to remain self-funded.
“I think that that way, I get to represent everybody, and not a select few,” he said.
He received $5,000 in contributions from his wife, Dennece Knight, and from Wlliam Kastrin, president of steel manufacturer Kasco Structures.
Kennedy received campaign contributions of $2,500 from the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, and developers Douglas Schwartz and Scott Schwartz. He also received $3,000 donations from Thomas Georges and Thomas and Bailee George.
Salcido, 39, the city representative for District 5 and a businesswoman, received about $10,400 in political contributions since her reelection in 2022. She has spent about $31,500 and maintains about $74,000 in her campaign coffers, thanks primarily to her $100,000 loan to her campaign.
Salcido’s largest contributions since being reelected in November 2022 were a $2,500 donation from Eduardo Fernandez and a $2,000 donation from Demetrio Jimenez.
The City Clerk’s Office hadn’t posted any reports for the other four mayoral candidates that were due Monday. One of the candidates, Winters, filed a report in July that showed he hadn’t raised or spent any money.
City Council District 1
Alejandra “Ale” Chávez, 47, a consultant and former owner of the Thyme Matters restaurant, led her opponents by bringing in nearly $81,900. She’s spent $50,800 on the race.
Chávez’s major donors include car dealer Raymond Palacios, who donated $4,100, as well as Woody and Joshua Hunt, who each gave $2,500. Rick Francis and his wife, Ginger Francis, both gave Chávez $2,500. Developer Jerry Rubin, the executive chairman of River Oaks properties, gave $3,000, and developer Douglas Schwartz also contributed $2,500 to her campaign. Former city Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly donated $500 to Chávez, as well as $3,500 of in-kind donations. JK Robison, Blake Anderson, Benjamin Arriola, Jim Cardwell, Debbi Hester, Adam Frank and Gary Porras all gave Chávez $2,500 each.
Monica Reyes, 55, executive director of student support services in the Canutillo Independent School District, has received nearly $23,900 in donations, and loaned her campaign $33,500. Reyes has spent just over $7,000. Her biggest donors have been insurance company owner Fred Loya, who gave $5,000, followed by $2,100 from Silvestre Reyes, her father and a former congressman who represented El Paso for 16 years. Silvestre Reyes Jr. gave nearly $3,250 to cover the cost of yard signs for Reyes’ campaign, and lawyer Sylvia Borunda-Firth donated $1,063 to cover the cost of a venue and food for a party announcing Reyes’ candidacy. Priscilla Terrazas, a Realtor, donated $1,053, and Shane Edmunson and Jorge Valenzuela each donated $1,000 to Reyes’ campaign.
Tom Handy, 51, a writer, investor and retired Army officer, raised $640 and has spent $7,250 on the race. He brought in three donations, but has funded his campaign largely with $6,430 of his personal funds.
The city hasn’t posted a campaign finance report for candidate Sam Armijo, 85, who’s a former nuclear scientist and power industry executive.
City Council District 2
Incumbent Joshua “Josh” Acevedo, 35, raised $12,650 and spent about $6,200. His top donors include $2,500 each from banker L. Frederick “Rick” Francis and businessman Woody Hunt and his wife, Gayle; and $1,000 each from lawyers Daniel Anchondo and Steve Ortega, and business people Ted Houghton, Debbie Kastrin and Georgina Williams.
Isabel Ceballos Otten, 23, a Realtor, reported raising about $4,900 and loaning her campaign $5,725. She has spent $5,400. Her top donation was $1,000 from businessman Greg Malooly.
City Council District 3
Kenneth Bell, 39, a campaign organizer, raised $7,692 and loaned himself $2,450. None of his donors contributed more than $1,000. Bell has spent about $8,980.
Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, 41, a capacity analyst, received $1,150 in non-monetary contributions – a photo shoot plus hair and makeup styling, according to her July 15 campaign finance report. The city has not posted her more recent 30-day report.
Fabiola H. Arellano, 57, an attorney, raised $320 and loaned herself $1,000. None of her donors contributed more than $1,000. She has spent about $422.
Jose Rodriguez, 78, a Realtor, does not have any campaign finance reports posted by the city.
Jesse Romero, 71, a Realtor and entrepreneur, raised no money, made no expenditures and received no loans, according to his July 15 campaign finance report. The city has not posted his more recent 30-day report.
City Council District 4
Joe “Chief” Molinar, 64, city representative for District 4 and a retired police lieutenant, raised $40,161 since his 2020 election and has spent $15,690.
His top donors include the El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association, $9,000; retired UTEP Professor Richard Teschner, $8,000; Houston oilman J.P. Bryan, $3,500; El Paso Association of Firefighters, $2,500; $1,500 each from businessmen Thomas Georges and Stanley Jobe; and $1,000 each from developers Randall Bowling and Robert Bowling IV, Mayor Oscar Leeser, city Rep. Brian Kennedy, and Rogelio Lopez.
Cynthia Boyar Trejo, 58, a business owner, raised $12,913 and spent $4,470. Her top donors include $2,500 each from car dealer Steve Fox and businessman Woody Hunt, and $1,000 each from businessmen Frank Adams, Jim Cardwell and Edward Escudero, and attorney Steve Ortega.
Dorothy “Sissy” M. Byrd, 67, a retired insurance specialist, raised $1,675 and spent $2,486. She reported no donors of more than $1,000, but did report a $600 loan to her campaign.
Wesley Lawrence, 28, a multimedia journalism student and public service consultant, raised $6,278 and spent $3,144. He reported no donors of more than $1,000.
City Council District 5
Ivan Niño, 33, chief of staff for city Rep. Salcido, raised just over $4,500 and loaned his campaign $5,000. He has spent almost $2,500. None of his donors gave more than $1,000.
Amanda Cunningham, 39, a social services worker and consultant, told El Paso Matters last month that she hadn’t received any individual donations over $700, adding that she received a $500 campaign contribution from Ryan Woodcraft, a candidate for county commissioner of Precinct 1. The city has not posted a 30-day report for Cunningham.
Tamara Lantigua Davis, 56, who is self-employed, does not have a 30-day campaign finance report posted by the city.
Felix J. Muñoz, 58, who retired from the federal Bureau of Prisons, reported no individual donations to his campaign. He has spent nearly $2,500 of his own personal funds and $5,000 using a credit card to fund his candidacy, according to his campaign finance report.
Sean “Kowalski” Orr, 21, a security guard, reported no donations or expenditures in his report.
City Council District 7
Former city Rep. Lily Limón, 74, raised just over $31,000 and loaned her campaign $5,000. She has spent just over $30,000 so far.
Her top contributors include Mayor Oscar Leeser, who donated $5,000; $2,500 each from businessman Stanley Jobe and Lawrence Romero, a California software engineer who is her son-in-law; and $1,000 from her husband, Jose Limón.
Chris Hernandez, 40, a political consultant, has raised just over $4,700 and spent about $4,300. He reported no individual donations of $1,000 or more.
Alan Serna, 54, a business owner and urban forester tree grower, has not yet filed a campaign finance report due Monday. But in a July report, he showed that he raised $100 and spent almost $2,100.
Fabiola Campos Lopez, 62, chair of the El Paso Neighborhood Coalition, has not reported raising or spending any money as of Tuesday.
El Paso Matters reporters Diego Mendoza-Moyers, Priscilla Totiyapungprasert and Robert Moore contributed to this story.
The post Renard Johnson dominates mayoral rivals in fundraising appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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