Campaign Fundraising: Garcetti, Gruehl Top $1 Million in 2011 for Mayor's Seat
The election is still over a year away, but the candidates are already bringing in big bucks.
City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilman Eric Garcetti took an early fundraising lead over a pack of 10 other candidates running for mayor in 2013, raising more than $1 million each through 2011, according to campaign fundraising totals released by the campaigns Monday.
Councilwoman Jan Perry was close behind, raising $827,328 to campaign
for the election, which is still more than one year away.
Conservative talk radio host Kevin James trailed the frontrunners,
raising $154,253 through Dec. 31.
Garcetti, who entered the race several months after the other well-known
candidates, raised money at the fastest pace. He brought in $1.06 million
between Sept. 8 and the end of last year.
``The diversity and dynamism of our supporters reflects our great
city,'' Garcetti said in a statement released by the campaign.
Greuel launched her campaign last spring. She raised $1.11 million through the end of the year.
In a statement, Greuel's campaign touted a large percentage of small
donations. Forty-three percent of the nearly 2,000 donors gave $250 or less,according to the campaign.
``While money isn't everything in a campaign, it sure is an indicator of
support, momentum and energy behind a candidate,'' Greuel strategist John
Shallman said.
Perry consultant Eric Hacopian called Perry the only true reformer in
the race.
``Jan has always fought for what she believes in, calls it as she sees
it, and is tough enough to take on the old boys' network at City Hall,''
Hacopian said.
Two other potential candidates, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev
Yaroslavsky and real estate developer Rick Caruso, have not ruled out entering
the race.
Other candidates that have filed paperwork to raise money for a
campaign, but have yet to file fundraising reports, include actor Theodore
Crissell, filmmaker Malcolm Mays, Northridge East Neighborhood Councilman YJ Draiman, Jose F. Di Raimondo, Addie Miller, David Saltsburg and Rick S. Young.
Jay Draiman
5:11 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles 2013
YJ Draiman is an elected member of Northridge East Neighborhood Council, (NENC)
YJ Draiman who is part of the executive committee brings a unique combination of government, business and community leadership experience to the NENC office. YJ has over 20 years experience in Energy Efficiency & Utilities. YJ is a former Real Estate developer, a healthcare administrator, managed the building of a 5 star hotel, an Alternative Energy & Efficiency expert, owned and operated a chain of electronic retail stores which included an electronics wholesale division. While currently working on his PHD in Energy Conservation. YJ has been working and implementing his expertise in the Energy and the Utility markets for over 20 years. YJ has worked extensively in gentrifying neighborhoods.
In 1989 YJ was asked to run for a senate seat but declined. YJ worked with the Utility Commission in protecting citizens from increased tariffs, where he championed projects offering opportunities for job creation, economic development, and social services for the less fortunate.
YJ Draiman lives in Northridge with his wife of 41 years, Miriam. They have 2 children; a thirty nine year old son, David who is the lead singer of the musical group, and a 35 year old son, Benjamin who is a Psychologist
9420 Reseda Blvd., Unit 274, Northridge, CA 91324 Office: 818-366-6999 ID#1337783
YJDraimanForMayor@yjdraimanformayor.com
www.YJDraimanForMayor.com