Campaign Finance: Helen Wolter leads in fundraising for Portola Valley council race #NewsUnitedStates

For the upcoming November election, the four candidates seeking two seats on the Portola Valley Town Council have raised thousands of dollars for their campaigns. But Helen Wolter comes on top with a total of $11,447, as stated in the campaign finance reports from the period of Jan. 1 to Sept. 24. 

Helen Wolter

Wolter, a resident of Portola Valley for 40 years, raised $11,447 in total and spent $4,659 during the filed period. She also loaned herself $750 for her campaign and donated $400 in contributions to the San Mateo County Democratic Party. 

Wolter spent over $2,000 on campaign consultants with political consulting company Tabletop Strategies based in Stockton. 

Her highest contributor is James Sprague from Washington, D.C., who donated $2,500 to her campaign. Wolter also received a donation of $500 from State Assembly member Diane Papan. 

Among her total of 38 contributors, the majority of donations ranged from $100 to $1,000 from Portola Valley residents, San Mateo County locals and out-of-state supporters. Notable contributors include state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park ($250), Menlo Park City Council candidate Jeff Schmidt ($250), former Portola Valley council members John Richards and Maryann Moise ($100 and $250, respectively), San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Canepa ($100) and former Portola Valley School District trustee Jeff Klugman ($100).

Wolter is a sustainability analyst for the city of Half Moon Bay.

Carter Warr

Portola Valley architect Carter Warr raised $3,751. The highest contributions were $1,000 from Portola Valley residents David and Kathryne Strohm and another $1,000 from . Warr received a total of 15 donations ranging from $50 to $500 each and contributed $501 to his own campaign. Former council candidate and committee member Dale Pfau gave $50.

He spent $1,733 on his campaign website, lawn signs, pins and buttons. 

Rebecca Flynn

Flynn, the founder of PV Forum, the town’s private social media platform, raised $4,950 from 31 contributors. Her highest donation was from Portola Valley resident Jonathan Goulden who contributed $500. 

Flynn also received a donation of $250 from Mayor Sarah Wernikoff. Other contributions are between $100 and $250. In non-monetary contributions, Portola Valley residents William and Jennifer Youstra donated 23 bottles of wine. 

She spent $2,553 on campaign materials and mailers. Flynn also contributed $400 to the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee. 

Ellen Vernaza

Vernazza received 12 contributors, receiving a total of $4,503 in donations. She spent $2,570 on postcards, signs and her campaign website. 

Vernazza’s highest contribution is realtor John Travis from San Francisco who donated $1,000. She also received contributions of $964 from Portola Valley resident Kathy Reavis and $500  from Andrew Thompson, CEO of Spring Ridge Ventures. PVNU member Rusty Day contributed $150.

Other local residents made contributions of $100 to $250.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to accurately reflect Carter Warr’s donations.