Monterey City Council candidate Vicki Nohrden has outraised all competitors in the District 1 and 2 races with about $17,400 raised since Jan. 1.

The campaign finance disclosures, covering Jan. 1 through Sept. 19, were first reported by Monterey County NOW. The filings land five weeks before the Nov. 3 election, when voters will fill two council seats.

District 2: Nohrden doubles nearest rival

Nohrden, a District 2 candidate, raised just over $11,000 in the latest reporting period alone, from July 1 through Sept. 19. Her contributors span party lines. The Monterey Peninsula Republican Women Patriots gave $600. Ed Smith, described in the filings as the current District 2 seat-holder, contributed $300. The Monterey Bay Action Committee gave $600, and Seaside City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Alex Miller donated $200.

After spending about $6,500, Nohrden's campaign held roughly $9,000 in cash.

Alec Manas, a development project manager at CHISPA Housing, trailed at about $7,200 raised year to date. He spent roughly $4,000, most of it at Community Printers Inc. for campaign materials. Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels gave $600, Monterey City Councilmember Gino Garcia gave $150 and Progress Monterey County contributed $600.

"We should focus more on the meat and potatoes – the budget, clean streets," Manas said in an Oct. 8 endorsement interview with Monterey County NOW, pointing to the city's roughly $12 million annual structural budget deficit.

The third District 2 candidate, Jeff Whitmoyer, reported no contributions and no spending.

District 1: Barber and Reeves neck-and-neck

The District 1 money race is tight. Incumbent Kim Barber and challenger Tom Reeves have each raised about $11,000 year to date.

Barber, a realtor and educator who has served as vice mayor, brought in about $2,700 in the latest period. Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez contributed $100, Marina City Councilmember Jenny McAdams also donated, and Progress Monterey County gave $600. Her campaign spent about $5,000 on consulting, mailings and yard signs, leaving roughly $4,050 in cash.

Reeves, a retired City of Monterey engineer and 38-year Monterey resident, raised about $6,000 in the latest period. The Monterey Bay Action Committee gave his campaign $600, and Monterey City Councilmember Jean Rasch contributed $500. His campaign spent about $6,700 total, including roughly $2,100 at Community Printers for yard signs, leaving about $4,150 on hand.

Cross-district patterns

Two groups gave to candidates in both races. The Monterey Bay Action Committee backed Nohrden in District 2 and Reeves in District 1, contributing $600 to each. Progress Monterey County gave $600 apiece to Manas and Barber.

The Monterey County Hospitality Association endorsed Nohrden and Reeves. Monterey County NOW's editorial board endorsed Barber and Manas.

What's next

Candidates must file their next disclosure statements by Oct. 22, covering Sept. 20 through Oct. 17. Residents can view all filings through the city's Netfile portal.