Top candidates rake in cash Top candidates rake in cash (February 06, 2004)

Diaz and Alquist prepare for upcoming primary

By Grace Rauh

State Senate candidate Manny Diaz came out on top last month, raising two and a half times more money than Democratic rival Elaine Alquist during the most recent reporting period from Jan. 1 to 17.

Diaz, who is currently the state Assembly member representing East San Jose, amassed $25,050 in cash contributions during the17-day stretch, according to finance records posted on the Secretary of State's Web site. Former state Assembly member Alquist raised $9,724 in contributions. No other state Senate candidates from District 13 -- which includes Mountain View -- filed any campaign contributions for this period.

Diaz and Alquist are vying for state Sen. John Vasconcellos' seat in Sacramento, which will be freed up through term limits next year. Although the November election ultimately determines who will win the Senate spot, District 13 is home to nearly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. Whoever secures the Democratic nomination on March 2 is heavily favored to succeed in November.

Alquist may have come in second in contribution dollars raised, but the former Assembly member took first place in campaign expenditures -- outspending the Diaz campaign by nearly $50,000. Diaz spent $23,629.67 from Jan. 1 to 17 while the Alquist campaign used $72,811.78.

Diaz ended the filing period with $248,742.08 in his campaign war chest and Alquist emerged with $296,880.63 in hand.

Neither candidate has boasted many contributions from Mountain View residents, companies or organizations throughout their campaign. Prior to Jan. 17, Alquist had only drawn in $450 total from Mountain View residents. Consultant George Koo, engineer Martin Gorfinkel and Catherine Vonnegut each contributed $100 to the Alquist campaign. Software engineer Stephen A. Chessin gave $150.

The Diaz campaign received $1,000 from the Mountain View-based company Intuit, but no individual residents from the city gave the current Assembly member money prior to Jan. 17, according to the Secretary of State's tally.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

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