Countywide : Candidates Dig Deep Into Own Pockets

If money were the deciding factor in the tight race to succeed retiring county Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, businesswoman Haydee V. Tillotson would lead the crowded field because of her own deep pockets.

Tillotson, however, is not the only candidate in the June 7 primary who has relied on personal finances to become a serious contender for public office, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday with the registrar of voters.

In the 70th Assembly District race, Republican businesswoman Marilyn C. Brewer has received $187,500 in loans--$180,000 from her personal and business accounts and $7,500 from the Santa Margarita Co.

Among those filing reports Thursday was Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron, who faces opposition for the first time in 24 years. Citron received $32,198 this reporting period, some $6,000 of which came from brokerage firms and banks which do business with the county.

Citron said the money has been needed to defend a challenge from Costa Mesa accountant John M.W. Moorlach, who has been critical of Citron’s aggressive investment strategies. Moorlach’s report was not available.

The incumbent said he saw no conflict in accepting funds from those who do business with the county.

“These people have offered to lend a hand,” Citron said. “I needed it, and I’m not embarrassed.”

Combined with the $217,000 Tillotson had previously lent her supervisorial campaign, she recently enriched her bid for the seat with another $95,000 for the final stretch leading to the primary, according to a statement filed with the county. The full campaign finance report was not filed Thursday and unavailable for review. Candidates were allowed to send their reports by overnight mail.

Of the three major front runners in the county race, Huntington Beach Councilman Jim Silva is the most cash poor. His finance statement for the reporting period that ended Saturday showed that after raising $60,761, his cash has dwindled to $5,142.

Among Silva’s list of contributors on the latest report were executives of the Koll Co., which has become the center of controversy in Huntington Beach because of its proposal to develop a portion of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. The corporate officers donated $2,625.

Another front-runner, Huntington Beach Mayor Linda Moulton Patterson, has $25,804 cash on hand after having raised $70,738 for her campaign.

Among her contributors were Democratic organizations and women’s groups, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the bipartisan Women in Leadership, which each gave $1,000. Pro-choice Orange County and the National Women’s Political Caucus gave a total of $800.

Huntington Beach businessman John A. Thomas recently has become a contender in the five-way race by relying on his own finances. Of the $50,163 he has reported in contributions, all but $1,500 came in the form of personal loans he made to his campaign and a $200 donation by his wife.

The fifth candidate, Raymond Thomas Littrell, a former Garden Grove councilman, has raised $4,874 and had $141 cash on hand.

In the 70th Assembly District, Thomas G. Reinecke also has relied heavily on loans, with most of it coming from outside sources.

Of the $142,500 received in loans so far, Reinecke lent his own campaign $12,500; Madeline Weyrick of Malibu loaned $100,000; Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), who has chosen Reinecke as his successor, loaned $20,000; and Reinecke’s mother, Jean, loaned $10,000 to the campaign.

The third Republican candidate in that race, Irvine Councilman Barry J. Hammond, reported cash on hand of $9,581. His largest single campaign contribution totaled $7,500 from the Allied Business PAC.