Placer County: Montgomery Grassroots Momentum Builds
Campaign raises nearly $50,000 in Less Than a Month
Published on Jul 30, 2008 - 11:47:39 AM

By: Rob Haswell, Montgomery for Supervisor

SERENE LAKES July 30, 2008 - Support for Jennifer Montgomery's bid to unseat incumbent 5th District Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz surged in the wake of Montgomery's powerful June 3rd primary election showing, where she emerged as the top vote-getter in a three-way race. Montgomery raised more than $51,000 in the May 18 to June 30 filing period. About 60 percent of the contributions were in amounts of $100 or less, reflecting broad community support for her campaign.

"Our message of giving back voice to our communities and protecting our rural lifestyle seems to resonate with people," Montgomery said, adding that unsolicited campaign donations spiked in the aftermath of the election.

Montgomery's campaign manager, Rob Haswell, pointed out that nearly all the donations came from individual donors and the vast majority of them came from people living in Placer and Nevada counties. All told, about 98% of the nearly 200 contributions came from individuals and about 70% of those were from residents in Placer and nearby Nevada counties.

As of June 30, the Montgomery Campaign had a cash balance of $52,206.99. The average size donation for this six-week filing period was $285. The campaign spent about $89,000 in the primary election. "This is truly a growing grassroots movement," said Haswell, noting that both opponents outspent Montgomery in the primary. "Clearly, money doesn't win elections, but the people are committed to ensuring we have the resources to get our message out."

Key donations from non individuals included $7,000 from the Placer County Public Employees, who endorsed her candidacy during the primary, and $2,000 from the affiliate Operating Engineers, Local 39 VOICE PAC.

In the June 3rd election, Montgomery received over 41%, Kranz received 37%, and fellow candidate Bob Houston received 22% of the vote. Kranz and Montgomery will face off in the Nov. 4 general election. For more information, visit www.montgomeryforsupervisor.org.

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