Sullivan Far Ahead of Silva in Funds

In a startling turn of events that has rattled Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva, challenger Dave Sullivan has raised $222,163 in campaign funds in the last three months in his bid to unseat the incumbent in the Nov. 3 election.

Silva picked up $127,844 in the same period in his effort to retain his 2nd District seat, according to campaign disclosure statements filed Monday.

For Sullivan, the amount gives him and his backers, mainly in South County, a big boost in his ability to run a winning campaign. His victory would shift the balance of power on the board against the planned commercial airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

For Silva and his backers, many from Newport Beach, where airport support is strong, things may be worse than they appear. Silva’s campaign has only $65,000 on hand in the final weeks of the campaign, while Sullivan has $196,000.

Sullivan’s sudden swell of money has prompted Silva to send an urgent letter to contributors pleading for the maximum contribution--$1,000 each--to help him remain in office and keep the airport proposal alive.

“If I am defeated, the El Toro airport is dead--end of story,” the Sept. 28 letter states. “This is the first time in history that one geographic area of Orange County has declared war on another. . . . Everything is on the line.”

Sullivan, though, said it is not a civil war being declared, but rather Newport Beach attempting to overrun the will of a majority of South County residents.

“If there is a war, I would characterize it differently,” he said. “It’s the big money in Newport Beach against other cities in the county.”

Since January, Silva has outspent his opponent by a wide margin. With money he raised in the first six months, Silva has spent $303,175, compared with $70,673 spent by his opponent.

Most of Silva’s money was spent on glossy mailers, slate and absentee ballots and get-out-the-vote efforts, said his campaign consultant, Dave Gilliard. More importantly, he said, Silva has the advantage of name recognition and the ability to raise a lot of money quickly.

“The cash-on-hand figure does not reflect the amount of voter contact we’ve had. Jim’s ahead [in private polls] and he’s going to stay ahead,” Gilliard said. “South County money cannot buy this district.”

Though Silva acknowledges that a majority of his money is coming from Newport Beach and other areas outside his district, he contends that Sullivan is a one-issue candidate who is going against the will of the 2nd District constituents, who support the airport. The district covers Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Stanton.

“[Sullivan] will soon learn that voters in my district are more concerned about crime, taxes and the quality of life in their neighborhoods than the El Toro airport,” Silva said.

Sullivan, who is referred to in fund-raising letters from South County as “the best real estate and mental health investment” residents can make, defended his popularity and support among South County airport foes.

“It’s going to take a lot of money to win this election, and I am very pleased with the support I’ve been receiving,” he said, noting that about 90% of his contributions came from residents of South County. “[Supporters] know I will be a strong opponent of a new airport at El Toro, Los Alamitos or anywhere else in the county.”

Anti-airport Sullivan backers say their fund-raising efforts have had a snowball effect on contributions and the momentum will only increase as the election grows nearer.

“The more money that is raised, the more people see that Silva can be defeated and the more enthusiastic people are becoming,” said Steve Myers, a South County business executive who is spearheading the fund-raising effort. “There is no question that the Sullivan-Silva race is a referendum on the airport issue.”

Meanwhile, in the 4th District race to replace departing Supervisor William G. Steiner, Cynthia Coad continued to outpace her opponent, Anaheim City Councilman Lou Lopez, in fund-raising.

Coad, a North Orange County Community College District board member, has raised $465,095 since January, including more than $300,000 in loans she had made to her campaign. She raised $77,948 in the last three months. The majority of her campaign money will be spent on direct mail, said Jeff Flint, her consultant.

Lopez, who has raised about $105,000 since January, pulled in $38,664 in the last three months. He said he is concentrating on walking precincts and might film a television campaign ad.

In the Orange County assessor’s race, Deputy Managing Assessor Webster Guillory raised approximately $19,000. His opponent, accountant James S. Bone, raised $21,748 and gave his campaign an additional $25,022 in loans.

Monday was the final day to register to vote, and the Orange County registrar of voters said it would stay open until midnight for late filers. As of Friday, the registrar said 1,157,964 voters had registered.