Published
2 years agoon
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.
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.
Related Story: Listen to Audio of Kevin McCarthy Saying He’d Urge Trump to Resign
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 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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email