Both incumbents running for reelection on the Lathrop City Council have received the financial backing of the Lathrop Manteca Firefighters Association.
According to recent filings by Paul Akinjo and Diane Lazard – the incumbents that are vying for another four-year term on the council – the political action committee formed by the Lathrop Manteca Firefighters Association has made two contributions to the candidates totaling $2,302 each.
The contributions – totaling $534 and $1,768 for each candidate – were disclosed on the California Fair Political Practices Commission Form 497 that were posted to the City of Lathrop’s website.
Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal, who is seeking a record sixth term at the helm of the city, received a $1,067 contribution from the same PAC.
Challenger Christina Campoy-Laughlin – who ran unsuccessfully for the Manteca Unified School District Board last election cycle – does not have any updated forms posted on the city’s website since she filed an FPPC Form 470 that said that she planned on raising and spending less than $2,000 during this campaign cycle. John Thanh Do, who will challenge Dhaliwal for the Mayor’s seat, doesn’t have any updated forms posted since he filed his Form 460 which details how he contributed $1,464.28 to his own campaign.
The relatively meager sums raised by both the incumbents and the challengers are a stark departure from neighboring communities like Manteca that have seen records amounts of money raised – with one candidate raising more than $50,000 to run for mayor.
Unlike Manteca’s tumultuous election cycle, Lathrop’s has been relatively quiet and without the same constant and ongoing negativity between candidates. While Campoy-Laughlin has been outspoken in her disagreement with the council on specific issues – most recently the rezoning of nearly 500 acres behind Lathrop High School as part of the city’s general plan – the tone has been largely civil.
In comparison, four uniformed Manteca Police officers were sent into the city council chambers earlier this week after tensions reached a boiling point – complete with threats of violence opposing factions sitting in the audience.
To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
