Valley Incumbents Lead in Fundraising for Congress. By How Much?

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 4 years ago on

April 29, 2022

At first glance, raising more than a half-million for a congressional race may seem like a success for Democrat Marisa Wood of Bakersfield.

Perhaps it is. But compared to her opponent, House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, it is not even close.

McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, reported raising nearly $20 million total, and $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2022. His super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, has raised more than $100 million during the election cycle.

With redistricting, McCarthy is running in Congressional District 20, which will now include Clovis and parts of Fresno. Three others are also running, but they posted scant fundraising totals, if any.

How Does a Candidate Spend Money?

Campaign funds are spent on advertising, fundraising, consultants, and the general overhead costs of running for office — utility bills, office space, payroll tax.

For McCarthy, he spent $4.6 million in the first quarter. Some of his notable expenses: more than $10,000 in catering at a Chik-Fil-A in Washington, D.C.; more than $81,000 in postage for a February mailing; and thousands more in air travel. He also contributed several thousand dollars to other political candidates.

Wood’s spending of more than $77,000 for the quarter was more modest. Several of her items went to campaign consultants or software.

CD 20

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised Jan-March 2022	Cash on Hand
Kevin McCarthy (R)*	$19,976,555	$4,572,130	$8,242,615
Marisa Wood (D)	$555,302	$137,411	$226,967
Ben Dewell (D)	$101	$101	$97
James Davis (R)	n/a	n/a	n/a
James McCauley (R)	n/a	n/a	n/a

*incumbent

Incumbents Dominate

Incumbents dominate the money race for Central Valley seats. In the new CD 21, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, has more than four times as much as businessman Matt Stoll, R-Visalia. Stoll’s total includes a $100,000 loan to himself.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Roseville, has three times as much raised as Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, R-Clovis.

In CD 13, where there is no incumbent, Phil Arballo, D-Fresno, leads the money board. He has been running nonstop since losing in 2020 to Devin Nunes.

That could be one explanation for Arballo’s nearly doubling the fundraising total of businessman David Giglio, R-Madera County.

One key Republican group is backing another candidate in CD 13. The National Republican Congressional Committee added Modesto businessman John Duarte to its “On the Radar” list.

Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, posted $2 million raised. Three other candidates in the race posted six figures, although Chris Mathys, R-Firebaugh, loaned himself a majority of his take.

Campaign Fundraising By the Numbers

CD 5

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised Jan-March 2022	Cash on Hand
Tom McClintock (R)*	$1,023,901	$289,547	$556,448
Nathan Magsig (R)	$333,212	$187,512	$274,540
Mike Barkley (D)	$16,314	$16,314	$850
David Main (R)	$11,562	$11,562	$3,120
Kelsten Charles Obert (R)	$0	$0	$0
Steve Wozniak (NPP)	n/a	n/a	n/a

CD 13

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised Jan-March 2022	Cash on Hand
Phil Arballo (D)	$1,410,046	$257,316	$458,210
David Giglio (R)	$728,718 ($180,790 self-loan)	$32,452	$388,712
Adam Gray (D)	$543,928	$543,928	$475,016
John Duarte (R)	$467,450 ($200,000 self-loan)	$467,450	$449,491
Diego Javier Martinez (R)	$2,860	$2,860	$2,298

CD 21

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised Jan-March 2022	Cash on Hand
Jim Costa (D)*	$1,287,887	$247,678	$1,225,689
Matt Stoll (R)	$310,323 ($100,000 self-loan)	$210,323	$117,886
Eric Garcia (D)	$207,478	n/a	$3,277
Michael Maher (R)	$78,189	$78,189	$17,969

CD 22 Special

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised March 17-31	Cash on Hand
Connie Conway (R)	$106,733	$23,840	$23,345
Lourin Hubbard (D)	$61,034	$12,205	$33,985

CD 22

Name	Cash Raised total	Cash Raised Jan-March 2022	Cash on Hand
David Valadao (R)*	$2,062,799	$404,919	$1,635,287
Rudy Salas (D)	$470,032	$251,955	$309,496
Chris Mathys (R)	$349,581 ($298,500 self-loan)	$17,673	$310,171
Adam Medeiros (R)	$107,645 ($20,000 self-loan)	n/a	$38,885