By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
It’s beginning to look a lot like election season.
As more and more political signs congregate on street corners, the closer Election Day gets.
Another sign of as much is the first batch of political expenditure reports, which were due on Thursday, April 14 at 5 p.m., marking the period of March 14-April 14.
Walking away with the most contributions in not only the city race, but in both city and school board elections is former mayor and current mayoral candidate Joe H. Hernandez, who received a total of $5,200 in total political contributions.
Ana Maria and Adolfo Huerta contributed $1,000 to his campaign, as well as Joe M. Hernandez, Norma Linda and Joel Martinez, and Ronaldo Garcia, who contributed $500 each.
Hernandez’ total political expenditures were $5,007.18, of which $1,020.10 was spent on political ads in the San Benito News, $1,915.35 at Digital Print Shoppe, $820 at MJ Screen Printing and $730.49 at Chuy’s Custom Sports on political items.
His opponent, Mayor Jack Garcia, received a total of $3,100 in political contributions. Richard Galvan contributed $600 to Garcia’s campaign, as well as Raul Garcia and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Sampson, LLP, who each contributed $500.
Garcia spent a total of $4,927.67 in political expenditures, including $1,897.62 at Chuy’s Custom Sports on campaign signs, $717.55 at the San Benito News on campaign ads, and $600 on two separate occasions at MJ Screen Printing for t-shirts and yard signs.
Place 2 City Commissioner Rene Villafranco gained $1,400 in political contributions, receiving $500 from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Sampson, LLP and $500 from Saul Villafranco. He has spent a total of $1,362.43 in political expenditures, as opposed to last year when he spent approximately $2,105.70. He spent $691.72 at Chuy’s Custom Sports on signs and shirts, $323 on advertising at the San Benito News, and $202.05 at McCoy’s Building Materials.
His opponent, Gavino Sotelo, received $3,700 in political contributions. James Hess, Jorge Nelson Ramirez, and Halff Associates each contributed $500. Sotelo also received a loan for $1,000; his total political expenditures rang up to $2,271.71. He spent a majority of his contributions at Chuy’s Custom Sports, including one occasion where he spent $450.
Last year, Pl. 1 City Commissioner Tony Gonzales received and spent $1,606.43 on his campaign. For this year’s election, he has received and spent $738.27 in political contributions. Gonzales listed Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Sampson, LLP as contributing $500 and himself as contributing $238.27. All $738.27 of his contributions were used at Chuy’s Custom Sports.
Roel Villarreal, one of Gonzalez’ two opponents, received $1,450 in contributions. Oscar De La Fuente, Jr. contributed $600 to Villarreal’s campaign, as well as Juan Villarreal and Teresa Villarreal who each contributed $250. Villarreal spent $1,508.58 in political expenditures, spending $712.50 and $395 on two separate occasions at MJ Screen Printing for printing expenses.
Jose F. Rodriguez, who is also running for the Pl. 1 seat on the city commission, did not turn in an expenditure report.
Early voting will be held from May 2-10; Election Day is scheduled for May 14.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the April 20 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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