This could end up being the first Manteca municipal election since 2012 that campaign spending won’t eclipse the $100,000 mark.
As of Monday the five hopefuls seeking two seats in the Nov. 3 election have raised a combined $48,915. That compares to the 2018 election when there were two open council seats as well as the mayor’s post that saw a record $175,931 spent.
In 2016 — the last time there were just two council seats on the ballot — there was $118,755 spent between six candidates.
The pandemic besides eliminating in-person town hall style meet the voter events as well as in-person candidate forums has also prevented hopefuls from staging fundraising events. Instead those candidates that are actively seeking funds are doing so on a one-on-one basis.
Incumbent Gary Singh leads the pack so far with $23,021 raised followed by retired Police Chief Charlie Halford at $15,894. Debby Moorhead, who is seeking her fourth term, has raised $10,000. David Martin and Fred Cunha have not solicited campaign contributions that trigger reporting thresholds.
The pandemic has also prompted a retraction in door-to-door efforts including the placement of door hangers. Besides purchasing lawn signs and larger signs the campaign funds are expected to pay primarily for direct mailing.
Donations of $1,000 or more received by Singh includes: $2,500 apiece from Kulwinder Singh and AV Trucking; $2,000 from Manteca Trailer & Motorhome; $1,500 apiece from Property Management Professionals and Fairway Land Holdings, and $1,000 apiece from Navtej Samra, Jaswinder Singh, Northstar Engineering, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Pillsbury Road Partners, Jimmy Nagi, Toni Raymus, and Youself Khelif.
Donations of $1,000 or more received by Halford includes: $2,000 from Charlie Halford and $1,000 apiece from Ronald Light, Manteca Trailer & Motorhome, Ed Machado Dairy, Sundance Properties, Lathrop Gas & Food, Toni Raymus, NCS Wholesale, and Amy Sulaiman.
Donations of $1,000 or more received by Moorhead includes: $2,000 from Bill Filios and $1,000 apiece from 2Q Farming, Pillsbury Road Partners, Northstar Engineering, George Perry, Toni Raymus, Larry Anderson, and Knife River Construction.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com