By Jim Tortolano/Garden Grove Journal
If there’s an upset coming in the Nov. 6 Garden Grove City Council elections, it might be coming from council candidate Phat Bui.
According to campaign finance documents filed recently with the Garden Grove City Clerk, Bui has raised $99,328 in contributions during the reporting period ending on Sept. 30.
He’s spent only $20,375 of that and has $81,428 in cash on hand. His totals far exceed the money raised by any other candidate for mayor or city council.
The biggest part of his war chest comes from a $70,000 loan he’s made to himself. Indeed, his balance sheet shows a debt owed of $72,475.
After himself, his biggest cash contributors are Peninsula Hotel Management of Garden Grove, Newport-Huntington Medical Group and Drung T. Bui, each of which each contributed $2,000. A non-monetary contribution of $6000 in printing was donated by Westminster Press of Santa Ana.
After Bui, the top fund-raiser during the three-month reporting period was incumbent councilman Steve Jones, who raised $15,369 for a total of $17,669. He’s spent $13,560 for a cash-on-hand balance of $9667.
Next was council candidate Chris Phan, who pulled in $9400 for a total of $18,960. He’s spent $8933 and has $10,056 on hand. Appointed incumbent councilman Kris Beard has raised $3,599 to bring his total to $12,187. After expenses of $8933, he’s got $2831.
The only other council candidate to report contributions was Josh McIntosh, who raised $795, spent $525 and has $272 on hand.
Among mayoral candidates, councilman Bruce Broadwater was the only hopeful out of four required to report.
He raised $3050 during the reporting period to bring his total to $19,937. He’s spent $10,540. His cash-on-hand total of $48,219 includes donations from previous campaigns.
Candidates must file a Form 460 Campaign Contributions disclosure if they expect to raise $1000 or more.
