CARLSBAD: Kulchin, firefighters enter final campaign weeks with most money

By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | Friday, October 24, 2008 5:11 PM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD ---- Despite recently collecting the largest single campaign donation in City Council election history, candidate Keith Blackburn didn't end the latest financial reporting period with the most cash in his war chest.

After subtracting his recent campaign-related expenses, the Carlsbad police sergeant was third out of six in terms of money as of Oct. 18 ---- two weeks before the Nov. 4 Election Day.

Both incumbent Ann Kulchin and challenger Farrah Douglas, a city planning commissioner, had more money remaining in their campaign accounts than he did.

However, he has an outside force working for him --- the Carlsbad Firefighters Legislative Action Group, which has endorsed him and Kulchin. The firefighters' group had $30,666 in the bank as of Oct. 18, financial forms indicate. That puts the group behind Kulchin, who had $39,482, but well ahead of everyone else.

"We're just kind of taking it week to week," group treasurer Danny Glessner said Friday when asked what the firefighters were doing with their remaining money. "We're just following the lead of our consultant."

Having money in the final days before the election can make a significant difference in city elections.

Near the end of the 2006 mayoral race, firefighters poured $10,351 into an unsuccessful effort to unseat Mayor Bud Lewis. The longtime mayor responded with his own spending blitz, shelling out close to $45,000 ---- out of an entire campaign cost of $65,149 ---- between Oct. 22 and Nov. 4.

This year, the firefighters spent $14,828 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18. Overall this year, they've spent $36,309, and raised $41,525. The money has gone for signs declaring their endorsement of Kulchin and Blackburn, as well as political mailers and other campaign materials.

They have about 250 more signs on order, Glessner said.

Meanwhile, Kulchin said Friday that she has no plans to spend much of the nearly $40,000 that remains in her campaign account.

"It's going to stay there for a while," said Kulchin, who is seeking her eighth term on the council. "My brochures are out, my signs are up ... my campaign didn't cost what the others did because .... it was an all-volunteer campaign and that has not changed since (my first campaign in) 1980."

Blackburn, whose recent announcement that he had received a $20,000 donation startled some around City Hall because of its size, ended the latest financial reporting period with $7,749.

His campaign began last fall, and since then he has spent a total of $89,520, including $23,352 during the latest reporting period, financial forms indicate.

Douglas, who co-owns a Carlsbad print shop, ended the latest financial filing period with $8,646 ---- nearly $900 more than Blackburn.

Since her campaign began last fall, she has spent $60,391, including spending $6,755 during the latest reporting period, financial forms indicate.

Candidate Thomas K. Arnold reported being $321 in debt at the end of the latest reporting period.

"I've spent what I've collected and I've loaned myself $9,500," he said Friday, adding that it won't dismay him if he has to cover the debt with a personal donation later. So far this year, Arnold has spent $20,373 on his campaign.

The final two candidates in the race ---- Glenn R. Bernard and Evan Delaney Rodgers ---- have both vowed to spend less than $1,000 on their campaigns.

Candidate, Overall Spending, Money Remaining

Thomas K. Arnold, $20,373, -$321

Keith Blackburn, $89,520, $7,749

Farrah Douglas, $60,391, $8,646

Ann Kulchin , $30,152, $39,482

Note: Candidates Glenn Bernard and Evan Delaney Rodgers have vowed to spend less than $1,000 on their campaigns.

Campaign figures are current as of Oct. 18.