Riverbank's Madueño raises most money of all county candidates

Riverbank Mayor Virginia Madueño has raised the most money among the candidates running for office in six Stanislaus County cities.

She reported bringing in $17,221 for the most recent reporting period, which is July 1 through Sept. 30. The total included a $1,000 nonmonetary contribution.

Some of Madueño's largest contributions include nearly $3,000 from the Lyons family through its Mape's Ranch and Lyons Investments, $2,400 from Rizzo Lopez Foods and one of its owners, and $1,500 from the DRIVE Committee, which is the Teamsters' political action committee.

None of the other mayoral and council candidates in Hughson, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Turlock and Waterford came close to matching Madueño, although the four Turlock candidates raised nearly $23,000 collectively.

Riverbank Councilman Richard O'Brien, Madueño's opponent in the Nov. 6 election, raised $3,622. Much of his money came from local Republicans.

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, and county Supervisor Jim DeMartini each gave $500. O'Brien received $250 from state Sen. Tom Berryhill's 2014 Senate committee. Sheriff Adam Christianson and Modesto entrepreneur Don Costa each gave $100 to O'Brien.

Here's a rundown of the other races:

OAKDALE

In the race to fill the remaining two years of the term of a councilman who resigned, former Mayor Farrell Jackson raised $4,579, insurance agent Cherilyn Bairos raised $3,086 and chief information officer Mike Murray has filed paperwork saying he will raise and spend less than $1,000.

Jackson's total includes a $1,500 loan he made to his campaign. Bairos received $250 from A&J Dairy Farm, $500 from James Gilbert of Oakdale Feed and Seed and $250 from L.F. Brichetto Farming.

In the race for two four-year council seats, business owner Don Petersen contributed $5,931 to his campaign. Ramona Howard raised $2,132, Councilman Tom Dunlop raised $792 and J.R. McCarty raised $2,355.

Councilwoman Kathy Morgan is raising and spending less than $1,000.

PATTERSON

Mayor Luis Molina raised $3,367, the most among eight candidates. His challenger, Troy McComak, had not filed a report by Friday's deadline. McComak has said he does not expect to raise or spend money.

Among six council candidates for two seats, Councilman Dominic Farinha raised $2,050, followed by challengers Sheree Lustgarten with $1,428 and Dennis McCord with $1,097. Carlos Fierros reported nonmonetary donations of $1,851. Councilwoman Annette Smith is raising and spending less than $1,000, while Tony Camacho had not submitted a report by noon Monday.

RIVERBANK

Comcast communications consultant Kathy Salvatore received $2,525, the most among the seven candidates running for two council seats.

Teacher Leanne Jones Cruz raised $1,187, including a $668 loan. Councilwoman Jeanine Tucker reported raising $1,175, including a $700 loan. Businesswoman Darlene Barber-Martinez raised $100.

Candidates Cal Campbell, Jessica Molina and Anthony McKinney are raising and spending less than $1,000.

TURLOCK

Councilwoman Amy Bublak raised $8,100, including contributions of $2,500 from Monte Vista Crossings LLC and $2,000 from Associated Feed. Challenger Steven Nascimento raised $5,833, including $2,000 from farmer John Ferrari, and Councilwoman Mary Jackson raised $5,653. Challenger Sergio Alvarado raised $3,400, including a $2,000 nonmonetary contribution.

The Turlock Firefighters Political Action Committee made independent expenditures of $2,104 for campaign and yard signs for Bublak and Nascimento.

The four candidates are running for two council seats.

WATERFORD

Councilman Mike Van Winkle raised $2,422. Councilman Jose Aldaco and challenger Aaron Norseen are raising and spending less than $1,000. Mayor Charlie Goeken, who is running unopposed, also is raising and spending less than $1,000.

HUGHSON

None of the four candidates reported raising money. Councilman Matt Beekman is running unopposed for mayor, and council members Jill Silva and Jeramy Young are being challenged by Billy Gonzales.

The next campaign finance reporting deadline is Oct. 25, when the candidates will detail their activities for Oct. 1-20.

Bee staff writers Garth Stapley and Erin Tracy contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.