October 25, 2010
By LORI A. CARTER, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Business-backed candidates running for Petaluma mayor and City Council brought in the most money during the first two weeks of this month, according to the latest campaign finance disclosure forms.
Of the five candidates who garnered the most contributions from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16, four are backed primarily by business interests and city employees: mayoral candidate Jeff Mayne and council candidates Ray Johnson, Chris Albertson and incumbent Mike Harris.
The other, incumbent Teresa Barrett, is a member of the self-described “smart growth” majority that controls the council.
The four business-backed candidates also were the recipients of $7,500 in billboard and mail support from the city's police union, the Peace Officers Association of Petaluma. Unions representing nearly all of the city's 300 workers are supporting the same candidates.
Mayne led his rival, incumbent councilman David Glass, with $2,400 in contributions this reporting period. Glass raised $865 in the same timeframe.
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