LAGUNA BEACH : Gentry, Christoph Lead in Fund Raising

Two of Laguna’s nine City Council candidates raised more than $20,000 by the end of September, according to mandatory campaign financial reports filed with the city clerk’s office.

As of Sept. 30, incumbent Robert F. Gentry led all candidates in the race for three seats up for grabs in November with cash and in-kind contributions totaling $21,744. Planning Commissioner Ann Christoph had $20,377.

Christoph, who funneled $9,862 into the race, had outspent the nearest competitor by $4,000, the campaign documents showed.

Planning commissioners Wayne Peterson and Norm Grossman listed their total campaign receipts at $15,069 and $11,676, respectively. Mayor Lida Lenney’s campaign committee garnered $5,447 in contributions.

The political action committee Village Laguna pledged $1,000 each to the campaigns of Gentry, Lenney and Christoph, all of whom won endorsements from the group. Lenney had not received her contribution at the time the paperwork was filed, Rollinger said.

Political newcomers Nancy Kreder and Steven Leonard listed $1,950 and $1,234 in contributions, respectively. Candidate Beth Leeds submitted a statement that she does not expect to raise or spend more than $1,000 in the campaign. Rickey Slater, who is running for the council for the fifth time, has not filed a report yet, Rollinger said.