Dacquisto, Weaver lead in campaign finances for Redding City Council race

Aug. 08--REDDING, California -- Four of eight candidates for Redding City Council raked in more than $60,000 in contributions, the figures clearly telling who the front-runners are as the race heats up.

Disclosure statements filed for the first half of 2014 show the donors' favorites are Michael Dacquisto and Brent Weaver. Each counted with the support of some of the most influential voices in the community, including Ed Rullman of the Redding Merchants Crime Watch and Mark Emmerson of Sierra Pacific Industries.

But the recipient of the largest single contribution was incumbent Francie Sullivan, who picked up $5,000 from the Redding Peace Officers Association.

Not too far off, Kristen Schreder recorded about three dozen contributions and loaned herself a total of $5,300, the most of the candidates for the six-month period.

Incumbent Patrick Jones reported no contributions or expenses in his statement.

Three other candidates vying for one of three seats on the council are Oscar Morales, John Patterson and Michael Quinn, who after much speculation, entered the race Tuesday.

Dacquisto and Weaver said Thursday there is no mistaking what the contributions mean.

"The large number and the very nature of the contributions indicate that (people) want serious change in the makeup of the council," Dacquisto said. "People are frustrated and they are tired of the same people who have been there."

Weaver said the public's involvement in the race, and in his campaign particularly, covers the entire spectrum -- from the far right to the moderate to the left. They are not getting caught up on what the candidates' party affiliation is, he said.

"Our community wants to see some fresh perspective," he said. "I feel very humbled that people believe in my leadership abilities. I absolutely plan to live up to the trust that they are putting in me."

Dacquisto reported 73 contributions, while Weaver had 68. One of those was for $13,374.24, which his company, Weaver Contract Services, put up to underwrite a golf tournament fundraiser.

Each counted in their camps financial support from past and former leaders of corporations and nonprofits, such as Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Besides Emmerson and Rullman, included in the list are Greg Balkovek of SFI Insurance Services, Judy Salter, Lyle Tullis, Redding attorney Mike Ashby, who represents the McConnell Foundation and Kendell Seamans, a Turtle Bay donor.

Donors were split on Schreder and Sullivan.

Both had support from unions. Schreder received a donation from Susan Swigart of the California School Board Association, while Sullivan had the support of the United Public Employees of California Local 792.

"My overall goal is to spend the bare minimum" to reach voters, said Sullivan, who reported a total of 17 contributions.

Both are being backed by Turtle Bay and One Safe Place leaders.

But Dave Scott of the Redding accounting firm D.H. Scott & Co., for instance, contributed to Schreder's campaign as well as those of Dacquisto and Weaver.

Dave Dennis dropped a contribution in Sullivan's camp, along with those for Dacquisto and Weaver.

Perhaps telling, Redding Councilwoman Missy McArthur contributed to Schreder's campaign and held a fundraiser for Weaver.

Dacquisto, who loaned his campaign $3,000, held a slight cash on hand advantage over Weaver, with $22,164, compared to Weaver's $21,064.

Sullivan was a distant third with $7,848 and Schreder had $1,471.

The cash race

Michael Dacquisto

Contributions: $21,459

Loans: $3,000

Nonmonetary: $9,135

Total expenses: $11,430

Ending cash balance: $22,164

Kristen Schreder

Contributions: $5,941

Loans: $5,300

Nonmonetary: $249.11

Total expenses: $10,349.06

Ending cash balance: $1,471.33

Francie Sullivan

Contributions: $9,080.57

Loans: $500

Nonmonetary: $3,405.63

Total expenses: $5,341.40

Ending cash balance: $7,848.84

Brent Weaver

Contributions: $31,115.25

Loans: $0

Nonmonetary: $3,280.63

Total expenses: $12,986.91

Ending cash balance: $21,063.90

Patrick Jones

No contributions listed in his campaign disclosure statement.

Top five contributions

$13,374.24: Weaver Contract Services Inc. to underwrite a golf tournament fundraiser benefiting Weaver

$5,000: Redding Peace Officers Association for Sullivan

$2,000: Dacquisto to his campaign

$1,500: Josh Barker to Weaver

$1,029.57: United Public Employees of California Local 792 to Sullivan

Prolific donors

David Scott contributed to Dacquisto, Schreder and Weaver. Amounts vary.

Dave Dennis contributed $200 each to Sullivan, Dacquisto and Weaver.

Jean King of One Safe Place and Randall and Barbara Hempling contributed to Schreder, Sullivan and Weaver. Amounts vary.

Judith Salter, Lyle Tullis, Mark Emmerson, Mike Ashby and Robert Nelson each made contributions to Dacquisto and Weaver. Amounts vary.

Ed Rullman's business made a $250 contribution to Dacquisto. He made a $250 contribution to Weaver as well as provided him a meeting room six times and spent $280 on a fundraiser for him.

Councilwoman Missy McArthur contributed $200 to Schreder and spent $774 on a fundraiser for Weaver.

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