FOLLOW THE MONEY
WHERE DO CANDIDATES GET THEIR MONEY?
It can be very expensive to fund a campaign for Mayor or City Council. It is important to know who donates to those campaigns and what sort of influence they may wield over candidates. This year we are seeing significant monetary contributions from the old GOP powerbrokers to Costa Mesa candidates.
Most candidates receive funds from friends, neighbors, and business associates. Some candidates have received donations from political action committees (PACs) and union or employee association PACs. There are also independent expenditures (IEs) made by PACs, union and employee association PACs. Last election year, a Super PAC made an IE on behalf of a candidate, a first for Costa Mesa elections to our knowledge.
Technically, a Super PAC is called an independent expenditure-only committee. Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates.
IEs are expressions of the support or opposition of candidates. IEs are not to be coordinated with a candidate’s committee or their agents. IEs are separate contributions and are not subject to contribution limits.
It seems like each election we see mailers sent to voters on behalf of candidates (but in opposition to their opponents) by Super PACs. Some of the mailers are what many call a “hit piece,” or a very negative opposition mailer. While this is legal, it often doesn't change the mind of an informed voter because the claims are usually vague and not true. That is why we urge you to be an informed voter!
Another mailer you will receive is a "slate mailer." Slate mailers are political advertisements that often resemble official voter guides, creating the impression that candidates share endorsements or political views when they may not. Many are produced by for-profit organizations, and candidates can pay to be featured, while other candidates are added without their involvement to complete the slate.
Although slate mailers must include disclaimers stating that appearance does not imply endorsement and identifying which candidates paid to be included, critics argue that voters often overlook the fine print. As a result, these mailers can be misleading, and voters are encouraged to research candidates independently rather than rely solely on slate mailers.
Since the candidates are required to file forms with the City disclosing donations over $2,000, we can gather information from those forms to shed some sunlight on the campaigns. All forms can be found on the City's website. The following is a comparison of candidate donations:
MAYOR
Michael Buley
As of October 17, Mike Buley had raised $87,435.00 in campaign contributions since January 1. Over half of those funds came from individuals and businesses involved in the real estate, construction, and development sectors, including the California Apartment Association PAC and the California Real Estate Association PAC. Notably, five businesses in which former Costa Mesa Mayor and Councilmember Steve Mensinger maintains an ownership interest contributed a combined $27,500.00.
In addition to direct campaign contributions, Buley benefited from $59,003.06 in independent expenditures funded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Campaign finance records show that the funds were spent on voter file services and campaign videos. The sizable investment by a national real estate lobbying organization highlights the unusual level of outside interest in a local Costa Mesa mayoral race.
He also benefited from an additional $1,860.00 independent expenditure from the Manufactured Housing Education Trust for a slate mailer (see above for more information about slate mailers and how candidates are placed on them).
Buley also received donations from Buck Johns, Curt Pringle, and Rick Kapko. Johns has been a significant powerbroker and contributor to the Orange County Republican Party for many years. Pringle, a former Speaker of the California State Assembly, is also known locally for his involvement in a controversial election-day effort in which security personnel were stationed near polling locations to address concerns about unlawful voting. The Orange County Republican Party and Pringle were later sued, and the case was settled for $400,000.00. He also received a donation from the Lincoln Club of Orange County, a conservative PAC established in the 1960's, that has now massively increased spending on online content with a conservative slant under the guise of local news.
Kapko, along with former City Councilmember Jim Righeimer, supported efforts to sell the Orange County Fairgrounds for private development.
Buley also received a sizable contribution from one of the principals of South Coast Toyota. The donation comes as representatives of the dealership have made several recent appearances before the Planning Commission and City Council regarding plans to redevelop property the company owns. Central to those discussions is the company's interest in securing approval for higher-density development on a parcel being considered for housing. Only about 11% of Buley's donors are Costa Mesa residents.
Buley has consistently filed the campaign finance disclosure statements required by law and has been transparent in reporting his campaign finances. Since January 1, his campaign reported $70,590.69 in expenditures, a large portion of which were paid to Relentless Strategies, LLC.
Andrew Clark, an Orange County-based political consultant and campaign strategist, owns Relentless Strategies. Clark's political experience includes work on Donald Trump's presidential campaign, among other political and advocacy efforts.
Loren Gameros
Since the beginning of 2026 and through October 17, Loren Gameros has received $61,669.00 in campaign donations, including a transfer of $1,100.00 from his prior City Council campaign fund. Not surprisingly, most of his support comes from construction unions (he is employed by one).
The next largest contributors are individuals who live outside Costa Mesa, including several donors who may have connections to Manuchehr Khosbin, a real estate developer and former owner of the Trinity Broadcasting Network property. That site is currently being redeveloped with high-density housing.
The Trinity property was added to the Measure K map by Gameros at Khosbin's request. Khosbin subsequently sold the property in 2025 for approximately twice the amount he paid for it. That is why entitlements are so important to developers! Gameros voted in favor of the project that is currently under construction at that site.
Among his more significant individual donors is Ali Jahangiri, an attorney whose practice includes assisting foreign investors seeking EB-5 visas. He also accepted a sizable donation from MGR Property Management, a residential and commercial property management company headquartered in Ontario.
Gameros received the maximum legal campaign contribution of $5,900 from United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324, which backed regulations on grocery self-checkout stations in Costa Mesa.
Only 3% of Gameros's donors are Costa Mesa residents.
Gameros has consistently filed the required campaign disclosure statements and has been transparent in reporting campaign finances. However, he is serving as his own campaign treasurer, an arrangement that is uncommon in local political campaigns. Campaign finance records show that he has spent more than $57,000.00, including consulting payments to Nicole Wiltshire, a board member of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, and to Wundermarx, a company owned by Cara Stewart, a candidate for Costa Mesa City Council District 3.
CITY COUNCIL
District 3
Daniel Thomas Morgan
As of October 17, Mr. Morgan had received $71,354.00 in campaign contributions since January 1, 2026. The largest share of his fundraising came from individuals and businesses involved in real estate, development, and construction. Donors in this category include former City Councilmembers Jim Righeimer and Steve Mensinger, as well as their business associates Rick Kapko and apartment owner Fritz Hoelscher.
Morgan has benefited from more independent expenditure spending than any other candidate in the mayoral or City Council races, receiving significant support totaling $78,069.58. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) spent $39,871.84 on his behalf for mailers, text messages, digital advertising, and voter file services. As with other candidates supported by the NAR, this level of spending raises questions about why a national real estate trade organization has taken such an active interest in a local Costa Mesa City Council race.
Morgan also benefited from $37,006.74 in independent expenditures by the Orange County Jobs Coalition, a PAC that supports Republican candidates for local offices across Orange County, along with donating to the California Apartments Owners PAC. According to campaign finance filings, those expenditures funded mailers, polling, creative strategy and design, and social media advertising. The Orange County Jobs Coalition previously spent money supporting Colin McCarthy, a Costa Mesa City Council candidate associated with former Mayor Jim Righeimer and former Councilmember Steven Mensinger, who was unsuccessful in his 2018 election bid. In addition, the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust PAC spent $1,191.00 on a slate mailer supporting Morgan.
The substantial level of outside spending highlights the significant interest that regional and national organizations have taken in this local election.
Morgan also received contributions from Shawn Steel, a former chairman of the California Republican Party, and Curt Pringle. (Additional information regarding Pringle and Kapko is discussed above.) Another donor is John Saunders, a developer known for his involvement in mobile home park ownership and redevelopment projects (and for evicting his tenants).
Additional contributions came from businesses and individuals located outside Costa Mesa. Morgan also received contributions from the Lincoln Club of Orange County and the Orange County Apartment Owners Association PAC, and the California Real Estate Association PAC. About 10 percent of his campaign fundraising came from Costa Mesa residents.
Among his local supporters are Mat Garcia of the Harbor Soaring Society and former Planning Commissioner Byron de Arakal. De Arakal previously provided public relations services for a Banning Ranch advocacy group that opponents argued was funded to promote the interests of the property's oil company owners. Only 9% of his donations come from residents.
Morgan files his required campaign disclosure statements regularly and has been transparent in reporting his campaign finances.
Cara Stewart
In this calendar year, Cara Stewart raised $56,592.38 in campaign contributions through October 17. The largest share of her support came from labor unions and political action committees. Among all candidates, she received the highest amount of campaign contributions from Costa Mesa residents. She also received support from individuals involved in the real estate development industry, including a significant contribution from Manuchehr Khosbin, discussed above.
The remainder of Stewart's donor base consists largely of colleagues and professional contacts from the marketing industry, where she works.
Stewart has regularly filed the required campaign finance disclosure statements and has been transparent regarding her campaign finances. With expenses of only about $17,000 during the reporting period, her campaign increased its cash-on-hand balance and finished the period in a stronger financial position.
District 4
Angely Andrade Vallarta
As of October 17, Ms. Andrade Vallarta reported $34,861.03 in campaign contributions since January 1, 2026. Her campaign spent slightly more than it raised during the reporting period, but banking some funds during the prior period allowed her to maintain healthy cash reserves heading towards election day.
Most of her donations come from political action committees. Still, she has received about 20% of her funds from Costa Mesa residents, followed by business associates and friends who reside outside Costa Mesa, and unions.
Andrade Vallarta has consistently filed the required campaign finance disclosure statements and has demonstrated transparency in reporting her fundraising activities and campaign finances.
Fisher Derderian
Mr. Derderian raised $10,265 in campaign contributions through October 17 and spent slightly more than he raised, reducing his campaign account balance to $1,723.60. Unlike some of his like-minded candidates in other districts, he did not benefit from independent expenditures funded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He did benefit from an independent expenditure of $1,184.00 by the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust PAC for a slate mailer.
Approximately 39% of Derderian's contributions appear to have come from relatives, friends, and other supporters who reside outside Costa Mesa. Several donors also appear to be affiliated with a Huntington Beach church where his wife is or was employed. In addition, he received contributions from individuals involved in the real estate development industry, as well as support from the Orange County Apartment Owners Association PAC and the California Apartment Association, the California Real Estate Association PAC, and a direct contribution from the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust PAC. He also recently received a donation from the Lincoln Club of Orange County.
Mr. Derderian has filed the campaign finance disclosure statements required by law, although his filings have been less frequent than those of other candidates. Based on the available records, this appears to reflect limited fundraising activity rather than a failure to comply with reporting requirements. However, some of the disclosure statements contain redactions of information that is typically used to evaluate a candidate's financial interests, including the source of income. As a result, the available filings provide only a limited basis for assessing the full scope of his financial activities, and we cannot conclude that he has been fully transparent in that regard.
District 5
Kelly Brown
Kelly Brown had raised $51,756.14 in campaign contributions this calendar year through October 17, including a loan from herself. The majority of her support comes from either residents or PACS. Her next largest source of contributions is from friends and colleagues in the education field where she works, many of whom live outside of Costa Mesa, along with Unions.
Brown has consistently filed the required campaign finance disclosure statements and has maintained transparency in reporting her fundraising activities and campaign finances. Her campaign has maintained healthy cash reserves for heading into the final days of the election.
Steve Smith
As of October 17, Steve Smith had raised $27,612.25 in campaign contributions during the current election cycle. He reported $29,841.37 in expenditures on campaign activities, including campaign materials and a slate mailer. Because his spending exceeded his fundraising, and despite the benefit of prior personal funding, his cash balance declined this period.
Smith comes in second when looking at the candidates that have benefited from independent expenditure spending in the mayoral or City Council races, receiving support totaling $72,878.54. Notably, the amount spent independently to support his candidacy exceeds the total amount he has raised in campaign contributions, including his own financial contributions to the campaign.
A significant portion of that support came from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which spent $41,597.05 on mailers, text messages, digital advertising, and voter file services on Smith's behalf. As with other candidates who have received NAR support, this substantial investment raises questions about why a national real estate trade organization has taken such a strong interest in a local Costa Mesa City Council race.
Smith also benefited from $28,516.49 in independent expenditures from the Orange County Jobs Coalition, a political action committee that supports Republican candidates for local offices throughout Orange County. According to campaign finance reports, those expenditures funded mailers, polling, consulting, creative strategy and design, and social media advertising. In addition, the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust PAC spent $1,184.00 on a slate mailer supporting Smith. For more information about slate mailers, go to the top of this page.
Smith's campaign finance reports show that he contributed $16,743.75 of his own money to his campaign, reported as a contribution rather than a loan. Excluding his personal contribution, some of his largest donations come from PACS, such as the Lincoln Club of Orange County, the California Apartment Owners Association, the California Real Estate Association PAC, and the Orange County Apartment Owners Association PAC. He has also received contributions from former Costa Mesa elected officials Jim Righeimer and Steve Mensinger, residents Mat Garcia of the Harbor Soaring Society, and former mayoral candidate James Peters.
Smith has consistently filed the required campaign finance disclosure statements and has been transparent in reporting his fundraising and campaign finances. However, voters seeking additional information about his background, qualifications, and policy positions may find that there is relatively little publicly available information about him compared to other candidates in the race.
