Thousands donated to local campaigns

With five open City Council seats, the November general election could be one of the most expensive in Island history.

By Reporter Staff • September 1, 2015 12:47 pm

With the August primary in the books, candidates are looking forward to the November general election, which is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in Mercer Island history.

Darren Gold has fallen out of contention for Position No. 7, currently held by Debbie Bertlin. Bertlin will run against Traci Granbois in November.

According to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), Gold had raised $0 to fund his campaign.

Though Bertlin led the primary, earning 60 percent of the vote, Granbois is outpacing her in fundraising. She has brought in about $15,000 to Bertlin’s $10,000, according to the PDC.

Leading the campaign fundraising is Tom Acker with more than $22,000. His opponent and incumbent Mayor Bruce Bassett has raised about $14,500.

Some of the biggest donations have come from Lara Sanderson, wife of candidate Jeff Sanderson. She and her company Sanderson Ventures donated $950 each to the campaigns of Bassett, Bertlin, Dave Wisenteiner and Salim Nice.

Sanderson’s fundraising total is almost $8,000, with $5,000 coming from a personal donation. He will be opposed by Carl Silverberg on the ballot, though Silverberg stated that he will not actively campaign and endorses Sanderson for the seat. It is currently held by Terry Pottmeyer, who was appointed in June.

Wisenteiner has raised about $2,500 to opponent and incumbent Jane Brahm’s $6,000. Nice, running against Wendy Weiker for the open seat to be left by Mike Cero, has brought in about $5,000. Weiker has raised $5,500.

For the School Board races, Bill Hochberg brought in more than $11,000 but came in behind Tracy Drinkwater in the primary for Position No. 3. Drinkwater has raised $0, as have David D’Souza and Ralph Jorgensen, both of whom are running unopposed. Adrienne Roehrich also raised $0, and lost the August primary.

So far, most of the expenditures have been for websites, campaign posters and yard signs, with a few of the candidates hosting kick off parties. Bassett, Weiker and Hochberg paid about $160 for access to the Washington State Democrats Votebuilder database.

For more, visit www.pdc.wa.gov.

Candidate websites

Position No. 1

Brahm: www.democracy.com/electjanemeyerbrahm

Wisenteiner: www.daveformi.com

Position No. 3

Nice: www.votenice.com

Weiker: www.electwendyweiker.com

Position No. 4

Sanderson: jeffsanderson.nationbuilder.com

Position No. 5

Bassett: www.electbruce.org