Source: Reno Gazette Journal.
The money is flowing in the Reno mayoral race, but so far, most of it is coming from the candidates themselves.
In the crowded primary field of 18, many of the candidates are self-funding their campaigns as traditional political donors tighten their pocketbooks and choose a wait-and-see approach before diving into the race.
Two of the top three candidates in the fundraising game forked over more of their own money than they raised from supporters.
Candidate Eddie Lorton lent his campaign $100,000, raising only $9,255 from supporters. Idora Silver lent her campaign $60,000, the majority of the $106,721 she raised. Robert Avery lent his campaign $40,844 and recruited family members to lend him another $25,000.
Ray Pezonella also lent his campaign $35,000, but was more successful raising money from the construction industry and others, bringing his total haul to $110,000.
The power of incumbency benefited two of the candidates in the race. Reno City Councilwoman Hillary Schieve raised $100,502 and Washoe County Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler raised $64,680.
Schieve, who largely self-funded her city council campaign two years ago, also lent her campaign $12,825. Berkbigler forked over $25,000 of her own personal money.
Here is a look at the top three contributors to each candidate’s campaign:
* Delores Aiazzi: $20,257
1. Delores and Dave Aiazzi: $10,857
2. Pamela Barrett: $1,000
3. Carolyn Cramer: $500
* Robert Avery: $98,409
1. Robert Avery: $40,844
2. Judith Avery: $9,000
3. M. Ronald Avery: $9,000
* Marsha Berkbigler: $64,680
1. Marsha Berkbigler: $25,000
2. Capitol Partners: $5,000
3. Jim House: $5,000
* Michael Bertrand: Did not file.
* Sean Burke: $2,630
1. Maurene Burke: $650
2. Zack Felix: $450
3. Ryan Greenhaigh: $400
* Chad Dehne: $3,700
1. Sam Dehne, the candidate’s father: $3,600
2. Gene and Mary Gross: $100
* Tom Fitzgerald: $14,629
1. Tom Fitzgerald: $10,000
2. Brian Fitzgerald: $3,000
3. Jim Collins: $1,000
* Brian Lee Fleming: $0
* Erik Holland: $3,619
1. Erik Holland: $1,174
2. Peter Chase Neumann: $500
3. David Von Seggern: $250
* Eddie Lorton: $109,785
1. Eddie Lorton: $100,000
2. Bill Biesler: $3,160
3. Chester Adams, Sparks City Attorney: $2,135
* Mark Markel: $0
* Ian Pasalich: $2,800
1. Rhys Pasalich: $500
2. Robert Hager: $500
3. Stephanie Bosco: $500
* Ray Pezonella:
1. Ray Pezonella: $35,000
2. Monty Baldwin: $3,000
3. Jeff and Susan Nielsen: $2,000
* Larry Pizorno: $350
1. Larry Pizorno: $350
* Chuck Reno: $30,395
1. Chuck Reno: $2,000
2. Bernie Carter: $500
3. Roy Foster’s Automotive: $500
* Hillary Schieve: $100,502
1. Hillary Schieve: $12,831
2. Reno Police Protective Association: $10,000
3. Peppermill: $5,000
* Idora Silver: $106,721
1. Idora Silver: $60,000
2. Sam Kronick: $2,000
3. Laborer’s Union: $1,500
* Ken Stark: $70,385
1. Ken Stark: $35,000
2. Mardi Gras Motor Lodge: $5,000
3. Robert Skach: $5,000