WESTMINSTER : Lam Leads Candidates in Fund-Raising Efforts

In his second term, Councilman Tony Lam appears to have mastered the key to American politics: building a war chest.

The first Vietnamese American to win an elective office in the nation, Lam has become a prolific political fund-raiser, according to the latest campaign statements provided by the city clerk’s office.

From July 1 to Sept. 30, Lam raised more than $25,000, far outstripping the combined amount raised by the other candidates for the council.

Councilman Craig Schweisinger reported raising $1,840, mostly through loans from himself and his wife, Carolyn. Margie L. Rice, the other council candidate, lent her campaign committee $800 to pay for the candidate’s statement printed on the election ballot.

Mayor Charles V. Smith, who is unopposed, did not report any campaign contributions, but listed $1,336 in expenses, including $800 for the campaign statement.

Lam, who won a two-year term in 1992, has received contributions from individuals and companies both in and outside Westminster, according to his 40-page campaign statement.

Na Vann Pung, owner of the Chi-Mengs Chinese Acupuncture Clinic in Garden Grove, contributed $1,000; the Westminster Car Wash in Los Angeles, $900; and the Westminster Municipal Employees Assn., $300.

Among those who contributed $100 were Fire Chief John T. DeMonaco Jr. and Police Chief James Cook.

“I got contributions from people of all walks of life,” Lam said. “They support me because they believe in what I’ve been doing.”

Lam, Schweisinger and Rice are vying for the two open seats on the five-member council in the Nov. 8 election.