Anderson leads race for cash in mayor's race

Apr. 30—Gilbert Vice Mayor and mayoral candidate Scott Anderson is ahead in the race for campaign donations among the six candidates in the town's July 30 Primary Election.

It's now a two-horse race between Anderson and Natalie DiBernardo for the mayor's seat after Shane Krauser dropped out.

Anderson, a retired town employee, reported raising $15,543 and spending $4,568. The bulk of the donations — $13,500 — came from Anderson, who loaned his campaign $10,000. His treasurer is Blaine Jones.The candidates' reports filed on April 15 cover donations and expenditures from Jan. 1 to March 31.

Anderson listed two individual donors — developer Jeff Cooley, who gave $1,000, and retiree Pat Krueger, who donated $250.

Anderson said he spent $4,568, with $4,500 going to pay Camelback Strategy Group for signature petitions.

DiBernardo was not required to file the latest report because she formed her campaign organization April 3.

Although Krauser is no longer running, he raised the most money, having announced his candidacy in January 2023, ahead of the others.

Krauser, a former county prosecutor, had accumulated $55,185, which included the $23,639 he raised in the reporting period of Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.

Of the monies he received in the latest reporting period, $27,974 came from individuals in state. His treasurer was Ray Malnar, a Glendale councilman and business owner.

Donors included former Councilman Jared Taylor, who gave $1,000; Ryan Christensen, vice president of Zona Builders, $6,650 and consultant Joe Jobe, $3,200.

Donors who gave to Krauser in the previous campaign filing period included former Councilwoman Aimee Yentes, $250; retiree Jason Barney, $1,000; retiree Kenneth Brewer, $2,000; and Flagstaff Republican state Sen. Wendy Rogers, $250.

Krauser listed another $1,625 in donations were under $100. He did not have to identify those donors. Another $1,950 came from donors outside the state.

In the most recent report, Krauser said he spent $13,706. To date, he spent $26,607 on his campaign.

His expenditures included $147 for a total to date of $1,255 to New York-based Fiverr for web services; Georgia-based CKK Industries, $471 for a total of $587 to date for fundraising supplies; and Z catering, $8,060 for catering a fundraising event. He also paid $900 to his wife, Janelle Krauser, for consulting services.

The mayor's seat is up for grabs after Mayor Brigette Peterson announced in January that she was withdrawing from the race.

Council candidates are Aaron Accurso, Noah Mundt, Monte Lyons and Kenny Buckland. The two open seats belong to Anderson, who is running for mayor, and Councilwoman Kathy Tilque, who opted not to seek re-election.

The primary is July 30. The next report is due July 15.

Council Reports

Mundt, a Gilbert planning commissioner, reported accumulating $7,315 so far in his bid for office — topping his opponents.

He is using $5,015 of his own money for the campaign, for which he serves as treasurer.

Donors to Mundt's campaign include Republican political consultant Stan Barnes, $500; Peter Kim of New York, $1,000; and Adam and Stephanie Goodman, $500.

Mundt said he spent $6,015 on operating expenses for his campaign, but did not break them down.

Buckland, a retired Gilbert Police commander, was second in fundraising with $5,671. He also lists himself as the treasurer for his campaign.

His donors included retiree Don Monaco, $400; Rich Ganley, owner of Positive Alliance Impact, $1,000; land-use attorney Adam Baugh, $500; Matt Lincoln, CEO of Safety Services Co., $1,711; and Councilwoman Kathy Tilque and her husband, Greg Tilque, $200.

Buckland reported no spending on his campaign in the filing.

Accurso, a back office manager, raised $1,195. He reported raising $2,669, which included a $1,000 personal loan, in the report filed in January for a total to date of $4,074.

Donors included retiree Kevin Gallagher, $300, and retirees Frank and Shannon Dupree, $200.

His donors in the January filing included Realtor Amy Peterson, $150; homemaker Lisa Marsee, $200; retiree Janet Farnsworth, wife of former state lawmaker Eddie Farnsworth, $100; and real estate broker and state Sen. Warren Petersen, $100 .

Accurso also received a total of $429 in donations from donors who fave $100 or less. He reported spending $698 for a total of $1,001 spent to date.

Accurso reported spending $698 for a total expenditure of $1,001 to date.

His recent bills included $413 to Print Place for printing and $173 to Mesa Sign Shop. His treasurer is Justin Yentes, the husband of former Councilwoman Aimee Yentes.

Self-employed Lyons reported raising $1,536 and spending $1,347 in his filing. The treasurer is Jedidiah Lyons.

Lyons is largely funding his campaign with his own money — $1,316. Those who donated included retiree George Momper who gave $100, and postal worker Keane Davis, $100. The break down of the expenditures was not included in the finance report.