NEWPORT BEACH : 2 Incumbents Raise Over $20,000 Each

Both City Council incumbents have raised more than $20,000 in efforts to fight off challengers in Tuesday’s election for council seats.

Evelyn R. Hart, running against Jan Vandersloot for the District 3 seat on the council, recorded $21,878 in total contributions to her campaign since she announced she would run for office, according to her latest campaign financial statement.

Vandersloot has raised about $8,000, including a $2,000 loan.

In the race for the District 1 seat, three-term incumbent Donald A. Strauss has collected just over $20,000, including a $5,000 loan. Strauss is being challenged by political newcomer John Hedges.

The committee to elect John Hedges has recorded $4,800 in contributions, including a $1,200 loan.

Notable for Hedges is the number of Newport Beach police officers who have donated to his campaign. During the October reporting period, 29 members of the Newport Beach Police Department gave money to the Hedges campaign.

Throughout his campaign, and during public forums, Hedges, a former reserve police officer, has urged additional support to the police force, including using additional reserve officers to help bolster the department during the busy summer season.

Neither Councilmen Phil Sansone nor Clarence J. Turner have filed campaign statements during the election. Both are unopposed and are not collecting contributions for the race.

The city limits donations from individuals to $200, according to the city clerk’s office.