Businessman Renard Johnson has cleared the $1 million mark in campaign fundraising in the El Paso mayoral race, dwarfing the largely self-funded campaign of his opponent, city Rep. Brian Kennedy.
Johnson, 58, has raised $1.08 million since launching his campaign in January, with about $137,000 of that raised during the last filing period and about $63,000 reported as in-kind donations, campaign finance reports show. He owns a systems engineering and information technology company, a tequila company and has also developed several real estate projects.
Kennedy, 68, has raised about $64,000 for his campaign, including about $22,000 during the most recent reporting period. The District 1 city representative has loaned his campaign about $231,000 – including $50,000 during the latest reporting period.
“It was a conscientious decision to predominantly self-fund,” Kennedy said.
Johnson did not respond to requests for comment.
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The two are in a runoff following the Nov. 5 general election. Early voting continues through Tuesday, Dec. 10. Election Day is Saturday, Dec. 14.
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The mayoral race has at times become heated, largely due to political campaign attacks against Kennedy by a Houston-based political action committee that supports Johnson. Kennedy has continued to campaign that Johnson is backed by “special interest” groups. Johnson has refuted that claim, stating his father has been his biggest donor.
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Johnson’s top donors during the latest reporting period were $10,000 from his father, Alvin Johnson, and $17,000 from businessman Julio Chiu.
Donors who gave $6,000 were Dr. Ogechika Alozie and philanthropist Louann Sanders. Johnson received individual $5,000 donations from Blake Anderson, Sue Anderson, Aaron Chiu, Rick Francis, Lane Gaddy, Woody and Gayle Hunt, Ronald Lowenfield, Ronald Malooly Sr., Gerald Rubin and Larry Wollschlager.
He also received $2,500 donations from Miguel Fernandez, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 960, Sundt Texas PAC and the Law Office of Steve Ortega LLC.
Other large donations were $4,000 from Ed Houghton, $3,000 from Paige Fox, $2,550 from Daniel Longoria, $2,000 from Adam Frank and $1,500 from Freddy Klayel Avalos.
Johnson also listed a $60,000 in-kind contribution from the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo for billboards during the recent filing period. He also received about $600 from Tovar Printing as an in-kind donation and $975 from Severo Hughston for office space.
Kennedy, an attorney and events and entertainment consultant, will have to resign his seat regardless of whether he wins the mayoral election. His term expires January 2027. Two candidates are in a runoff to complete his term to represent the Westside.
Mayor Oscar Leeser, who has endorsed Kennedy, was the largest contributor during the latest filing period, donating $10,000 to Kennedy’s campaign. His other top contributions were $1,500 from Suzanne Dipp and $2,500 from the El Paso Association of Firefighters PAC.
Kennedy also received about $2,400 from Sherman Barnett, the owner of Barnett Harley Davidson, for a Facebook boost and direct mail service.
LEARN MORE: What exactly does an El Paso mayor do? We explain as voters head to polls
The mayor presides over the City Council, but is not a voting member except to break ties. The mayor can propose or veto legislation – except to hire or fire the city manager or city attorney. The mayor also appoints members to powerful boards and commissions with council approval.
The winner of the runoff will be sworn into office in early January. The mayor’s salary is now about $95,000.
The post Renard Johnson’s campaign donations surpass $1 million in El Paso mayoral runoff appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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