Halter, Morehouse Lead in Fund-Raising

VENTURA — Downtown businessman Doug Halter and county land-use planner Carl Morehouse are the top fund-raisers in the crowded Ventura City Council race, according to financial disclosure forms.

Of the 12 declared candidates for the three seats in the Nov. 2 race, Halter and Morehouse raised the most money during the reporting period that began July 1 and ended last week.

Both have received the endorsement of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee.

Halter raised $13,198, including $1,293 loaned by his business partner and $100 he loaned himself. Morehouse raised $14,535, $6,600 of which he loaned himself.

Mayor Jim Friedman, who was not endorsed by the chamber although he is a past president, raised $8,842. Physician Bob Ryan raised $7,234.

Friedman’s war chest is smaller than those of Morehouse and Halter, in part because he has voluntarily set a $100-per-donor limit.

Councilman Ray Di Guilio, the third candidate endorsed by the chamber, lagged behind with $2,344. Other candidates raised between $716 and $4,775. Disclosure forms from candidates Brian Lee Rencher and Ed Ryan were not available Friday afternoon.

Halter, co-owner of the Villa Tasca home and garden store on Main Street and a residential real estate investor, said he anticipates spending most of his campaign money on printing and mailing brochures to voters. He estimates that a large mailing could cost up to $8,000.

Halter and Morehouse are among the candidates who have agreed to a $22,000 spending limit set by the city. Those who agree to that limit may raise up to $225 per contributor. Others may accept no more than $125 per contributor.

Friedman has not agreed to the spending limit.

With campaign contribution reforms enacted in 1995, money and special interests do not exert the same influence as in years past, Friedman said.

“On these local grass-roots campaigns, you become a jack-of-all-trades: fund-raiser, precinct walker, forum-goer.” Consequently, money plays less of a role, he said.

Close to one-fourth of Halter’s contributions came from real estate and development interests. Included among his contributors were Michael Case, the local Democratic lawyer who is challenging Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), and county supervisorial candidate Rosa Lee Measures.

Morehouse is heavily supported by a variety of county government employees, public and private planners, and planning consultants. Other contributors include Ventura lawyer Richard Francis, the architect of the land-conservation movement known as SOAR; Simi Valley lawyer Daniel Gonzalez, who is running for state Senate; Port Hueneme Councilman John Sharkey; and congressional candidate Case.

Friedman received contributions from several small businesses, real estate interests and school officials, including Joseph Spirito, superintendent of the Ventura Unified School District. He also received contributions from executives of E.J. Harrison & Sons, the largest waste hauler for the west side of the county, and Robert P. Roy, a SOAR opponent.

Di Guilio received contributions from three representatives of Westin Communities, including the Los Angeles-based building company’s President John Ashkar, and from the owner of E.J. Harrison & Sons.

Ryan is heavily supported by physicians.

The next filing deadline is in mid-October.