Five SF City Council Hopefuls to Get Public Money

Less than half the candidates seeking a seat in Santa Fe city government in the municipal election next March will use public money to fund their campaigns.

Santa Fe City Clerk Yolanda Vigil confirmed Wednesday that five candidates have qualified to participate in a public campaign financing option available for the first time in Santa Fe.

They are: incumbent City Councilor Patti Bushee of District 1; retired businessman Bob Sarr and Trust for Public Land attorney Peter Ives of District 2; former city Fire Chief Chris Rivera of District 3; and former City Councilor and retired state employee Carol Roberston-Lopez of District 4.

Each candidate will receive a $15,000 check. That’s a total outlay by the city of $75,000.

There are 10 people – dispersed among each of Santa Fe’s four districts – running for City Council. Municipal Judge Ann Yalman is pursuing re-election unopposed.

City Council and municipal judge hopefuls needed to collect at least 150 contributions of $5 each from voters to opt into public campaign financing.

District 1’s Houston Johansen was the only candidate to apply, but not be certified, for public money, Vigil said.

Yalman and activist Marie Campos of District 3 turned in voter contributions but didn’t apply for certification.

Local voters approved an amendment to the city charter in the March 2008 elections that required the City Council to adopt an ordinance for public campaign financing.