Saab sees late surge in campaign contributions

DOWNEY - Alex Saab's campaign experienced a sudden surge in campaign donations from residents the first two weeks of October according to recent campaign financial statements that reveal the District 4 candidate raised $6,640 from Oct. 1-16.Since the beginning of the campaign, Fernando Vasquez has lead Saab and community leader Lee Ann Sears in total campaign donations as all three candidates vie for Mayor Anne Bayer's District 4 seat. However, these new contributions bring Saab and Vasquez nearly equal in total fundraising. Vasquez, former development manager with National Core, has collected $28,344 in campaign donations. Saab trails slightly with $27,265 in total contributions. Vasquez, who loaned his campaign $4,151.78 earlier this year, reported no additional contributions in financial statements covering Oct. 1-16, which were turned in to the city clerk's office last week. Sears listed $245 in contributions during the two-week period, bringing her total to $4,650. Saab's largest contributions came from two local companies that donated $500 each. Bellflower-based Empire Transportation is a "shuttle bus company that provides vehicles and drivers to businesses, hospitals, colleges, counties, and municipalities" and "corporate shuttle service and non-emergency medical transportation to companies primarily in Southern California from Bakersfield down to San Diego," according to the city of Bellflower website. Saab's financial statements also show a $500 donation from "Camino Real Enterprises." The address listed matches Firestone Auto Body at 7900 Firestone Blvd. in Downey. The remainder of Saab's contributions came mostly from local residents and ranged monetarily from $25-$300. Sears' $245 primarily came in the form of a $200 donation from her husband, Jim, who has contributed $700 thus far towards his wife's campaign. Councilman Mario Guerra, who is running unopposed in District 2, raised $1,349 from Oct. 1-16, with the majority coming from restaurant owner Square King Foods Inc. The food company currently owns a Jack in the Box in Buena Park and contributed $1,000 to Guerra's campaign. A Downey couple donated $250, and the remaining $99 came from John Yonai, a principal with Tierra West Advisors. Guerra has raised $30,249 so far, which will pay off a $31,000 loan Guerra made to himself early in the campaign.

********** Published: October 28, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 28