ANAHEIM : Mayor Was Winner in Fund-Raising Too

Even in local politics, big money usually wins, and the candidates who won city races last November used large sums of money to woo support, according to mandatory campaign finance reports.

More than $700,000 was contributed to six campaigns for City Council during the last weeks before the November election and the two months after the balloting.

Incumbent Mayor Fred Hunter, who defeated Councilman Irv Pickler to retain his office, led in late fund-raising with $69,060, according to the reports filed at the city clerk’s office. He raised a total of $235,613 for his reelection effort.

Pickler brought in $27,925 during the final days to bring his total war chest to $158,722.

Developers and the Walt Disney Co. continued to be among the largest contributors to both candidates.

Hunter was also backed by the Police Assn., while Pickler received individual donations from high-ups in the Disney enterprise, including Michael Eisner, Kerry Hunnewell and Alan Epstein, who are planning the proposed second theme park in Anaheim.

Seven candidates vied for three open council seats, with Hunter and Pickler also competing for the mayor’s post. Only one candidate, John Schaffer, did not raise campaign funds.

The financial contribution reporting period was from Oct. 21 to Dec. 31, 1990.

Bob D. Simpson, who ousted 17-year veteran Councilwoman Miriam Kaywood, raised $30,000 in the final reporting period to bring her campaign total to $118,093.

Though his earlier backing was from celebrities including California Angels and Los Angeles Rams officials, his latest contributions primarily came from developers and the city’s police and firefighters’ associations.

Kaywood raised $27,925 in the latest campaign reporting period, bringing her total amount raised to $84,657, with major support from various mobile home park owners and a mobile home owners’ political action group. She also received money from Disney officials and developers.

Jo Anne Barnett and Planning Commissioner Frank Feldhaus, who were also not elected, raised $10,420 and $2,135, respectively. Barnett’s total was $42,710 and Feldhaus’ was $62,720.