Paradise Valley political lines exposed through campaign finance reporting

By Melissa Rosequist
Twitter: @mrosequist_

Recently filed finance reports for the latest quarter in the 2020 election show Paradise Valley Town Council candidates for Paradise Valley Town Council were truthful about their resident-funded campaigns when quizzed on their donors earlier this summer.

Campaign finance reports for the four Paradise Valley Town Council candidates show their efforts to seek elected office --- or re-election, for three candidates --- is self-funded or largely supported by residential donations.

The documents for the year’s second quarter cover April 1-June 30; and the reports were due to election officials by July 15.

During the July 9 virtual Town Council candidate forum, candidates Scott Moore, Julie Pace, Mark Stanton and Jonathan Wainwright were asked about their donors. All four pointed to campaigns funded through personal monies or resident support.

The four candidates are seeking election to Paradise Valley Town Council in the Aug. 4 primary election, of which some ballots have already hit mailboxes.

Mr. Wainwright is the sole newcomer to the race, as Mr. Moore, Ms. Pace and Mr. Stanton are seeking re-election

Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner is running unopposed for a second term as the town’s figurehead.

The candidates’ campaign finance reports are available on the town’s website.

Mayor Bien-Willner

The reports show Mr. Bien-Willner’s re-election campaign began in late 2019, fourth-quarter reports show.

His candidate action committee closed 2019 with more than $18,000, and he received two donations of $100 each that period. One of the donations was from fellow Town Council member Ellen Andeen.

From Jan. 1-March 31, the first quarter of the year, Mr. Bien-Willner received $1,225 in individual donations greater than $25. He also received a reported $1 donation, bringing his total donor value up to $1,226 during the first quarter.
His donors for that period were six people, with two residing in Phoenix and four from the Town of Paradise Valley.

In the months following, the mayor received another $250 individual donation from Ron Ober, founder of public affairs company, the Policy Development Group.

During his campaign, Mr. Bien-Willner reported spending:

• $3,000 on communications;
• $1,500 on advertising;
• $47.06 on credit card transaction fees.

Scott Moore

Mr. Moore’s first campaign finance documents report his re-election started $6,500 in the red.

His first available reports are from the fourth quarter of 2019, although the only action reported is his committee’s balance.

In the following months, Mr. Moore raised $1,010 from donors, and he reported receiving a $7,000 loan.

On Mr. Moore’s campaign finance documents, he reported a $500 loan from himself in the first quarter; and a total loan amount of $7,006.24 from himself during the second quarter.

In quarter one, he received $500 from Paradise Valley resident Theresa Zachariah, and $500 from real estate professional Josh Peters.

He received an additional $10 donation, the reports state, but candidates don’t have to disclose donors under $50.

In quarter two, Mr. Moore reports $1,700 from six donors including:

• Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner;
• Adrienne Bien-Willner, the mayor’s mother;
• Anne Andeen, Historical Advisory Committe member and councilwoman Ellen Andeen’s mother; and
• Jordan Rose, a prominent Scottsdale lawyer and Town of Paradise Valley resident.

The other three donations are from two Paradise Valley residents, and a Phoenix-based engineer.

Mr. Moore’s expenses include a campaign website, political signs, a new head shot, consulting, sign installation and bulk mailing.

Julie Pace

Ms. Pace received far more monetary contributions and significantly outspent her peers --- reporting more than $10,000 in disbursements during campaign season.

For the last quarter of 2019, and the first quarter of 2020, Ms. Pace submits campaign finance documents, but no activity is reported.

Her campaign committee has $1,294, during this time, the reports state.

During the second quarter, Ms. Pace reports receiving $18,000 in donations from individuals greater than $40.

Her donations include 18 contributions from Paradise Valley residents. Her donors include:

• Dr. Zachariah;
• Anne Andeen;
• Mayor Bien-Willner;
• Adrienne Bien-Willner;
• Planning Commissioner Pamela Georgelos; and
• Hillside Committee member Scott Tonn.

Ms. Pace’s spending, which added up to $10,655, largely went to her campaign manager, Mary Turner.

Mark Stanton

In the last quarter of 2019, Mr. Stanton doesn’t report any contributions, but spends more than $2,000 on consulting and annual services to a public affairs firm.

In the initial months of 2020, Mr. Stanton received a $500 donation from Paradise Valley resident R. Rene Romero.

He also spent $300 on political consulting, and $10 for bank service fees.

In the second quarter, Mr. Stanton reports receiving $1,400 in contributions, using $400 of his personal money, and refunding $1,000 back to contributors.

His donations included $1,000 from prominent Scottsdale zoning attorney John Berry, who is a Paradise Valley resident; and Crown Development real estate professional Rick Carpinelli, who is a town resident.

In the second quarter, Mr. Stanton spends more than $400 on various supplies and consulting.

Jonathan Wainwright

Mr. Wainwright only has a report only filed for the second quarter of 2020, because his campaign did not meet a state-mandated monetary threshold of $1,000 established by Arizona state law.

The only activity Mr. Wainwright reported was a $1,922 loan, which he says was personal monies loaned to the campaign to create a website and yard signs prior to July 1. Mr. Wainwright has not accepted any contributions.