As the November general election approaches, Portola Valley's four candidates continue to raise money to fund their campaigns. Candidates raised between $450 to $2,550 to pay for campaign efforts as they vie for one of two open seats on the council, according to campaign finance reports from the period of Sept. 22 to Oct. 19.

Securing Victory Through Strategic Fundraising

Helen Wolter: Garnering Support from Prominent Figures

During this filing period, Wolter raised a total of $2,550 and loaned herself $750 to fund her campaign. She spent a total of $6,311 on her website, signs, campaign consulting, and campaign literature. Wolter garnered the support of Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who donated $250, and received $150 from Alexander Kobayashi, the district representative for state Sen. Josh Becker of Menlo Park. The highest contribution she received was $500 from Portola Valley resident John Arnold. Among her 13 contributors, the majority of donations ranged from $100 to $250, coming from Portola Valley residents, San Mateo County locals, and one out-of-state supporter. Over the course of her campaign, Wolter has collectively raised $14,747 and has spent $10,971.

Ellen Vernazza: Securing Significant Donations

Vernazza raised $1,923, the second-highest total in contributions during this filing period. The largest contribution was a $1,000 donation from Dr. Bob Turcott, a Portola Valley resident and cardiologist. Her other three contributions ranged from $200 to $482. During this period, she spent $2,108 on postcards, signs, and postage stamps. Over the course of her campaign, Vernazza has received $6,427 in contributions and spent $4,678 on campaign materials.

Carter Warr: Targeted Spending on Advertising

Warr received a total of $1,410 during this period and spent $1,500 on a newspaper advertisement in the Palo Alto Daily Post. His highest contributor is Portola Valley resident Kurt Jaggers, who donated $500. Among his five contributors, the majority donated between $200 to $250. Throughout his campaign, Warr has raised a total of $5,161 and spent $3,268.

Rebecca Flynn: Grassroots Fundraising Efforts

Flynn raised $450 for her campaign this filing period and spent a total of $1,744 on digital advertisements and campaign literature. Her highest contribution of $250 was from Portola Valley resident Scott Mirer. Among her four contributors, the majority of donations came from local residents ranging from $50 to $100. Overall, Flynn has raised $5,295 for her campaign and spent a total of $4,643.These four candidates have demonstrated their commitment to securing victory in the Portola Valley Town Council election through strategic fundraising efforts. Their diverse approaches, ranging from garnering support from prominent figures to grassroots campaigns, showcase the competitive nature of this election and the importance of financial resources in driving their respective visions for the community.