Two candidates seeking election to the three-person San Juan County Council have raised more than $17,000 each. The other four candidates competing in the Feb. 12 primary race have collectively raised about $20,000, according campaign reports filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

The maximum contribution allowed by state law for any candidate running for local election is $900. As of Jan. 23, Lisa Byers of Orcas Island and Lovel Pratt of San Juan Island are leading all candidates in the fundraising derby. Both have raised more than $17,000. Byers, with 75 contributors, has spent nearly $11,000; Pratt, with 117, has spent about $8,000.

Marc Forlenza and Bob Jarman, both competing against Pratt for the San Juan “residency district” primary nod, have raised about $4,600 (from 10 supporters) and $2,800 (from three contributors) respectively.

Greg Ayers of Orcas has raised or loaned his campaign roughly $5,400, spending almost $4,500. Rick Hughes, presently a councilman from Orcas, has raised about $2,335 and spent $1,450. They are in the same primary race as Byers, although all county voters will be cast ballots for all candidates in the Feb. 12 primary.

Jamie Stephens, who will not be on the primary ballot because he has only one opponent, Brian McClerran, for the Lopez district council seat, has raised almost $4,600, and spent $92, as of Jan. 23. McClerran has filed with the PDC for “mini-reporting,” which means he intends to raise and spend less than $500.

— Steve Wehrly, Journal reporter

 

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