The high cost of office-seeking

It’s not cheap to run for political office, even though the advent of by-district voting in Garden Grove has – in theory – made it a bit less expensive.

There are three council positions on the ballot in Nov. 3 election, in addition to the mayor’s post. According to documents filed with the city clerk’s office, here are the most recent campaign financial statements. Calculations are based on year-to-date through Sept. 19, 2020.

For District 2

• Julie Diep has raised $13,774 (including a $5,000 loan to her campaign), spent $2,661.07 and has $11,112.93 in available funds. She has debts of $5000 (her loan) Her largest contributors are Elaine Diep of Monterey Park ($2,s000) and Homer Schlick of Pomona ($1000).
• John O’Neill, the incumbent, has raised $7,250 and spent zero. He has no debt and the cash available to him is $14,487.02, including funds carried over from previous campaign. His largest contributors are the Garden Grove Police Officers Assn.’s PAC ($2,500) and the Orange County Professional Firefighters Assn. PAC ($2,500).

For District 5

• Stephanie Klopfenstein, the incumbent, has raised $20,175 and spent $11,115.60. She has a debt of $5,124 and cash available at $31,467.68 (including previous campaign funds). Her largest contributors are NOVA Kitchen/Grove Palace LLC of Garden Grove ($5,000), and McWhinney  Real Estate LLC of Loveland, Ohio, Garden Grove Police Officers Assn. PAC and Orange County Professional Firefighters Assn. PAC, all $2,500.
• Robert Tucker has raised $8,845, of which $8000 is a loan to his campaign. He has spent $2,179.94 and has cash on hand of $6,665.06. His debt is $8,000. The largest contributor is John Grace of Huntington Beach ($200).

For District 6

• Huan Nguyen has filed a form stating he would raise and spend less than $2000.
• Kim Nguyen, the incumbent, has raised $33,805.40 spent $15,093.22 and has cash on hand of $26,038.24. The largest contributors are Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 582 ($4,000), Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council PAC ($4,000), Orange County Professional Firefighters Assn. PAC ($2,500) and VDC Red Hill Holdings/Ryan Ogulnick of Los Angeles ($2,000).