Petaluma council race not attracting big donors

Bill Wolpert is the leading fundraiser in the race for Petaluma City Council that has seen only a fraction of the money that has poured into past city campaigns.

According to the most recent campaign contribution filings for the period ending Sept. 24, Wolpert, a planning commissioner, had raised nearly $15,000. His opponents, three incumbent council members who are running as a slate for three open seats, had raised a combined total of $23,000 for the year to date.

Mike Healy had raised $9,700, Kathy Miller had raised $6,700 and Gabe Kearney had raised $6,500.

Wolpert, a progressive running on a platform that seeks more walkable development in Petaluma and environmentalism, has also raised money from the most donors, picking up contributions of $200 or less from 134 individuals. He said that his financial support is a sign that his campaign is gaining traction with a segment of the community that wants to see a change in city leadership.

“People are enthusiastic that I’m running,” he said. “I think this is a grassroots movement that we are experiencing. People are really tired of what they are seeing as the fallout from poor development.”

The amount of money in this year’s race is small compared to past council elections that have seen candidates raise as much as $50,000, said Brian Sobel, a political consultant and former Petaluma City Council member. He said that Wolpert’s fundraising edge likely comes from being the only progressive in the race.

Mayor David Glass, a political ally of Wolpert, has advocated on social media for voters to use only one of their three votes to ensure the progressive candidate doesn’t split the vote with the incumbents. The lack of money in the race also reflects that the fact that many controversial issues, like shopping center development and the Rainier crosstown connector, are in the past, Sobel said.

“It’s a modest amount of money for a local race,” he said. “What it speaks to is that you lack divisive issues. Wolpert is probably getting donations from people who want to see the council lean more progressive.”

Wolpert, an architect, has received donations from other Petaluma progressive politicians and environmentalists, including Glass ($200), Councilwoman Teresa Barrett ($200), former Councilman David Keller ($50) and former Mayor Pam Torliatt ($200) as well as several other architects.

In addition to many Petaluma residents, donors to Healy, Miller and Kearney include several of the developers who have recently built or proposed housing and commercial projects in Petaluma. Those include Matthew White, CEO of Basin Street Properties, which built the Theater District project, Doyle Heaton, CEO of DRG Builders, the developer of Avila Ranch, Dave Sanson, CEO of DeNova Homes, which built the Southgate neighborhood, and Robert Comstock, CEO of Comstock Housing, which is building the single-family units in the Riverfront development.

Miller said that she is grateful for the support and added that contributions do not influence the decisions she makes on the council.

“I don’t see how anyone can argue with a straight face that someone can be bought for $200,” she said. “I get donations from people who live in town and people who do business in town.”

She attributed her low fundraising numbers to getting a late start. Wolpert, the challenger, entered the race on Aug. 12, the final day to file for candidacy.

Healy, seeking his fifth term on the council, said that his campaign has enough cash to get through the Nov. 8 election. He also said he is not influenced by campaign donations.

“I think I’ll have the resources to do what I want to do,” he said. “I’m proud of my track record. I don’t vote for every development proposal. I try to improve the ones that I do see.”

Kearney, the lowest fundraiser in the race, said he hopes to raise more through October to buy more campaign signs and send out mailers. He had similar feelings about the influence of money in local politics.

“Raising more would help reach more voters,” he said. “At $200 a pop, you’re not buying access. It makes an interesting conversation piece (to say that), but it isn’t swaying us.”

A list of the candidates’ campaign contributions can be found online at cityofpetaluma.net/cclerk/materials.html.

(Contact Matt Brown at matt.brown@arguscourier.com.)