Based on her first experience as a City Council candidate, Meghan Sahli-Wells estimated this morning that she will expend $20,000 during the 90-day run-up to the April 10 election.
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From left, activists Tom Camarella, Rich Waters, Meghan Sahli-Wells, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, Rick Tuttle, among 110 supporters.
“Even in a small town,” she said, “it probably will run a little over $20,000 when you figure in mailing, advertisements, postage, voter lists, and items like that.”
Meanwhile, even though newcomer Seth Weiner announced his withdrawal from the race, Ms. Sahli-Wells has just as many rivals because one Stephen Murray pulled papers yesterday to join the derby.
Mr. Murray was in the news two months ago [“Malsin Gains a New Ally in Feud with City Hall”] when he declared his concurrence with former City Councilman Scott Malsin over the cutback in healthcare benefits.
Ms. Sahli-Wells recalled that in the last Council campaign, then-candidate Robert Zirgulis wrote a letter to the editor after reading the financial statements of his rivals. “It’s fascinating reading,” she said, “seeing who gets money from whom. Mr. Zirgulis may have misread the statements, though, because I think I had the most money in the last election because of in-kind contributions.
“Mainly, they were from my husband, Karim, who is a graphic designer. By law, you have to declare all of the in-kind contributions. Karim kept careful records of all the design work he did for the campaign. It was worth a lot of money. I am very fortunate not only to have my husband’s support but also his talent.
“Not only that, for some of our silent auctions, I received amazing in-kind contributions from artists. We know a lot of artists, and my dad is an artist, a painter.”
Ms. Sahli-Wells’s first campaign fundraiser will be held at the La Dijonaise restaurant, 8703 Washington Blvd., restaurant, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 o’clock. The event is $50 per person and includes a three-course meal with a dessert, beverage and glass of wine. RSVP by emailing contact@vote4meghan.com.
Ms. Sahli-Wells may be contacted at www.vote4meghan.com
