Campaign finance watch: Paradise Valley mayor’s race

By Melissa Rosequist
Mail | Twitter: @mrosequist_

Out of the two people fighting to win Paradise Valley’s mayoral seat, only one has been garnering contributions from local residents, new reports show.

Campaign finance reports for the first quarter of election season were due on April 15. The reports keep track of who’s donating to — or self-funding — political campaigns, and what expenditures candidates are spending their money on.

Jerry Bien-Willner is seeking reelection for a third term as mayor in the Aug. 2 primary election while councilwoman Julie Pace is challenging him for the seat.

Candidates became official on April 4.

The campaign finance reports cover all financial donations and spending during the first quarter of the year, Jan. 1-March 31.

Bien-Willner reports receiving $26,585 from in-state individuals; and he has received $6,198 in out-of-state contributions.

Pace reports zero monetary contributions, but $6,458.32 of her own personal monies. Of that, she’s spent $2,556 for operating campaign expenses that include marketing, email services, advertising and a website.

Bien-Willner reports spending $10,508 of his campaign funds, which went to advertising, credit card transaction fees and a campaign fundraiser at Mountain Shadows Resort. He also reports repaying himself a $475 loan.

Bien-Willner’s largest local contributors include residents Francis Najafi who gave $2,500; Christopher Cole who gave $1,000; Julie Cohen who gave $2,000; Robert Uhl who gave $1,000; Dodge Earnhardt who gave $1,000; Jim Rose who gave $1,000; Tim Dickman who gave $1,000; and Scott Fey who gave $1,000.

Other notable people who contributed to Bien-Willner’s campaign include former Town Councilmember Mary Hamway, $500; former mayor Scott LeMarr, $500; homebuilder Rod Cullum, $500; and local school board member Patty Beckman, who gave $500.