Santa Fe County Commission race: Builders backing Jaramillo's bid

Former state senator Stefanics leads all candidates, raises $15,570

Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican

5/16/2008 - 5/17/08

Real estate broker and Santa Fe County Commission candidate Ralph Jaramillo says he's not a real estate developer. But a lot of his supporters are tied to the business.

Jaramillo, who is making is second attempt at the office, has raised about $13,450 for his campaign so far, much of it from donors who have some connection to the building industries.

Jaramillo's largest contribution — $2,000 — came from RL Leeder, the asphalt company where Jaramillo works. He also received $1,000 from Rancho Viejo de Santa Fe and $1,000 from attorney Karl Sommer, who often represents development interests. Jaramillo also received donations from a mortgage company, two survey companies and an engineering firm.

But Jaramillo wasn't the top fundraiser in the District 5 County Commission race. That honor goes to former state Sen. Liz Stefanics, who raised $15,570. Some of her largest contributors listed their occupation as "educator." Former city councilor Karen Heldmeyer donated $200 to Stefanics.

In contrast, Joe Auburg, one of the other four candidates in the District 5 race, raised only $885 and reported spending only $16 of that, which is less than the $50 filing fee to declare candidacy.

The fourth candidate, county employee Stephen Wust, raised only slightly more than Auburg but significantly less that Jaramillo and Stefanics. His total was $3,995. Of that, $3,100 was money he loaned himself.

In the District 4 race, retired physicist Kathleen Holian bested her two opponents by bringing in $17,820 worth of donations. Several thousand dollars of Holian's take was spent on her campaign manager, former Sierra Club chairwoman Gwen Wardell.

Fire inspector Mark Marquez raised $11,559 for his campaign. The largest share of that, $5,000, came from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The union has endorsed him. Heldmeyer also donated $250 to Marquez's campaign. Marilyn Bane, a historic preservationist who ran for city council in 2006 on a platform of "no growth," also donated to Marquez.

Career nurse Elizabeth "Dolly" Lujan raised $2,557, the smallest amount reported by District 4 candidates.

Contact Phaedra Haywood at 986-3068 or phaywood@sfnewmexican.com.