Armina Gharpetian’s $20,000 war chest tops race for Glendale Unified school board

Glendale Unified school board challenger Armina Gharpetian has raised far more money than her competitors so far, taking in roughly $20,000 as of March 16, according the most recent filings.

Records show 26 contributors donated about $7,000 to Gharpetian’s campaign for the period of Feb. 17 through March 16. That’s more than all but one of her six competitors have raised so far for the entire campaign. And she’s done it without hosting a major fundraiser.

Gharpetian said her participation in several “meet-and-greets” have been proven effective in interacting with voters.

“The most important thing is that I gained their trust,” she said. “The support has been overwhelming.”

Fellow candidate Jennifer Freemon, meanwhile, has benefited the most from non-direct contributions.

The political action committee of the Glendale Teachers Assn. — known as the Glendale Teachers Public Education Improvement Fund — has spent about $24,000 on behalf of Freemon’s campaign so far, with more than $22,000 spent on two mailers and door hangers.

The Glendale Teachers Assn. also contributed $1,000 directly to Freemon’s campaign and the union’s president, Tami Carlson, gave Freemon $200, records show.

Meanwhile, Freemon has raised more than $4,700 in cash contributions. She also lent her campaign $4,500.

Incumbent Greg Krikorian has raised more than $7,000, including $200 from Carlson and $250 from current Glendale Unified school board member Mary Boger.

Incumbent Joyelene Wagner has raised more than $5,400 in cash contributions, in addition to lending her campaign $1,100. Boger and former Glendale Unified Supt. Michael Escalante donated $250 and $200, respectively.

Incumbent Christine Walters has raised more than $5,000 in cash contributions, in addition to a $5,825 self-loan. Boger and Escalante also donated $250 and $200, respectively.

As of March 20, candidate Ali Sadri’s campaign was riding on a self-loan of more than $4,000 after having reported zero outside contributions.

Candidate Daniel Cabrera reported raising $3,510, in addition to lending his campaign $1,100.

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Follow Kelly Corrigan on Twitter: @kellymcorrigan.