What does $1.45 buy in Poway? A winning vote

By Steve Dreyer

If you’re going to get elected to the Poway City Council, plan on spending about $1.45 per vote received.

That’s roughly how the November 2012 general election worked out for winners Steve Vaus and Jim Cunningham, according campaign statements filed late last month by their respective committees.

Vaus collected $19,515, spent $19,067 and received 11,707 votes for his effort, or $1.63 per ballot cast. He received the most votes and replaced retiring Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack on the five-member council.

Jim Cunningham was elected to a second, four-year term by placing a close second, with 11,571 votes. His campaign received and spent $14,734, with $5,500 of his income coming in the form of a loan from himself. Including the value of the forgiven loan, Cunningham spent $1.27 per vote received.

Jeff Mangum finished third in the four-candidate race, collecting 7,705 votes. His reporting form shows $20,617 in contributions, including $10,000 in loans to himself. Mangum spent $2.67 per vote received. In closing out his account, he paid himself back $1,665 and forgave the balance of the loan.

Gary Vineyard received 4,188 votes. His report shows him receiving $200 in total campaign contributions. Vineyard loaned his campaign $26,100. He spent $6,713, or about $1.60 per vote, on campaign expenses before repaying himself $19,763. His campaign expenses include donating $200 to his own “Let Kids Have A Ball” charity.

The four campaigns were in the process of winding down during the final reporting period, which ran between Oct. 21 and Dec. 31. Vaus received $1,145 in contributions; Cunningham $400 (plus a $1,000 personal loan); Mangum $749 and Vineyard,$200.

The next City Council election will be in November 2014, when the terms of Mayor Don Higginson and Councilmen Dave Grosch and John Mullin expire.